Diabetes berberine vs metformin

If you do not want to use metformin, there are other medications for diabetes, such as glipizide & glipizide, and dozens more. In addition, some people can achieve control through diet, exercise and sometimes weight loss.

Studies regarding berberine have been limited, and have not recommendations have not been solidified over time, perhaps due to the following limitations: 1) Berberine dosage depends on the person, 2) berberine can have other effects besides reducing blood glucose, 3) berberine can interact with other medications, and 4) berberine is an unregulated supplement, meaning content & purity may not be as stated.

If this is a new diagnosis for you, have you discussed your options with your doctor yet? Have you tried lowering your A1C with serious, long-term diet and exercise modifications? In addition to a family history of diabetes, do you have other health issues?
Sue

I'm also diabetic and diabetes runs in my family as well. I also have EPI, a pancreatic condition. I have been taking Metformin ER for several years. Medical research has shown Metformin to the safest and most effective of all available diabetes medications. My numbers were similar to yours, but by intermittent fasting I have reduced my A1C to 6.1 and my glucose to about 125. I would not consider taking Berberine.
Regards,
Rob

I, too, have inherited type 2 diabetes from my ancestors. My doctor at that time put me on glyburide, then later my prescription was changed to metformin. Upon discovering information about berberine, I asked my doctor about it. He hadn't heard of it, but to his credit, he researched it and then okayed my using it instead of metformin. I've been using berberine with good results for many years. In answer to your question, the brand I currently use is Bestvite. However, in my opinion, no medicine or supplement should be expected to keep diabetes under control by itself. Eating right and exercising are also vital. I'm 83 years old. My glucose count this morning was 99.

I just got some Berberine GlucoGold to try instead of Metformin. Reading all your comments I am not sure now. Can you take them together safely?

That would be an excellent question for a pharmacist. We cannot make those recommendations here, only share what has or has not worked for us.

Hi, Was on Metformin as type 2 right around 7.0 a1c. Was over a year, did not seem to change my numbers a lot, but kept it in range. Then all the side effect started in, I told my doctor I stopped taking it, and side effect stopped within days. So 3 months later not much change taking nothing. But after eating more and doing less my numbers at 6 months are not good. Everything was high. So I started Berberine on my own after some research, I feel better now after about 3 weeks. Blood tests which I hate will be on the agenda in a few more months. I bought Diebetes Doctor Carb and sugar blocker, but it also has Gymnema it. It's expensive and not sure I need both together. So I bought some Wonderlabs Berberine at $25 for 120 caps. Other one was $34 for 45 caps. So far side effects none to complain about. I think talking two verses 3 capsules a day may be good. Some research claims of needing 1500 or more. I read a study stating 500 once a day showed improvement. Less is better in my case. At least to start!