Metformin good for diabetics?

One thing about metformin is that it is toxic on the kidneys, especially those with Type 2 diabetes in later stages of kidney disease. Many endocrinologists and PCPs will take you off this medication if your eGFR is close to 30 to avoid further kidney damage.

One thing about metformin is that it is toxic on the kidneys, especially those with Type 2 diabetes in later stages of kidney disease. Many endocrinologists and PCPs will take you off this medication if your eGFR is close to 30.

I didn’t know metformin was toxic to my kidneys. Thanks for the info.
I will no longer take it if that’s the case
Thanks

My husband had good results from Metformin. He was on it since diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes 6 years ago.
He had no noticable side effects from Metformin, it controlled his A1C even with his sugar eating habit. His kidneys were tested and show none of the kidney issues some have with Metformin and he has 1 or 2 coctails each evening.
He was 40 lbs over weight simply because he loves to eat, especially a dessert every night.
Six months ago he went on Ozempic because of the touted weight loss benefits and as a result he lost 25 lbs and was taken off Metformin. He has little will power and continues to eat his sweets, drinks alcohol and his A1C is still normal. Ozempic cuts back on the appetite, noticeably the appetite loss for beef. After a small portion of beef he will gag if he eats more beef beyond that point. Other sources of protein are fine, like chicken, seafood, fish or pork. It's only the taste for beef that has changes; the other foods taste good but his portions of other foods is noticeably less. He fills up faster.
Ozempic does have a noticeable side effect, it causes constipation. However in his case this side effect is a benefit because for a decade he had loose, urgent stools. Now he must take MiraLax about twice a week for regularity.
Ozempic is extremely expensive, whereas Metformin is affordable. Even with his Medicare Pharmacy Plan, at the beginning of the year a 3 month Ozempic prescription is $500 and subsequent prescriptions are about $300.

Is Ozempic a weight loss medication or is it also good for type II diabetes, or both. Is it touted as a weight loss drug or is weight loss just an a symptomatic effect of it?
I would like to reduce my weight gain as it’s not good to be overweight with type II diabetes. I’m seeing my PCP in two weeks and plan on getting his feedback.

Is it available over the counter or do you need a prescription?

Ozempic has several purposes- it is diabetic drug but it has the side effect of weight loss. Yet many without diabetes use it only to loose weight. To qualify for coverage on Medicare prescriptions plans your doctor must state it is for 2 reasons, to your prescription insurance complany. You can't get medicare pharmacutical plans to cover it if you only want it for weight loss or only diabetes type 2.
For my husband it was requested for 2 conditions:

1. Diabetes Type II
2. Obesity

I also believe heart disease can also be a reason.
It is a prescription, so discuss with your doctor.

Thank You I have all 3 you mentioned including heart disease.

Just a reminder to everyone out there who are not medical professionals (Dr.’s etc ….) please don’t attempt to start, stop, alter the dose of any medication without the advice and monitoring of your medical team. Also don’t shop around for a bunch of Dr.’s who will tell you what you want to hear and prescribe your pharmaceutical shopping list. Everyone needs a team of providers that know the patient, know each other and are “one the same page” to collaborate for the good of the patient head to toe, inside and out.

@andytheman

Most endocrinologists find it necessary to use metformin to control your type 2 diabetes. Depending upon your doc, he/she will prescribe another diabetic drug with the metformin. It should not be used if your eGFR is close to 30 Stage 4. Always check with your docs before discontinuing any medication.

No one as yet has discussed in this thread the need to see a dietitian or have your endocrinologist refer you to a diabetic education series sponsored by most major hospitals at a minimal fee. These are the best classes if you are serious about better control of type 2 diabetes. Last thing, many endocrinologists prescribe Ozempic with Metformin as well as other drugs like Jardiance, etc.

From my experience for weight control, you typically will need to see another doc other than the endocrinologist. If taking Ozempic, you must coordinate that with the 2 docs involved. The dosage for weight control and that for type 2 diabetes control are totally different. Also, the care needed for type 2 diabetes and that of weight control follow different laboratory paths for each doc involved.