Dangers Of Treating Infertility With Metformin (Glucophage)

What Is Metformin (Glucophage)?

Metformin (Glucophage) is a drug that is typically used to treat Type II diabetes because it helps manage and control blood glucose levels. But, it also has another use. Metformin, also known as Glucophage, is also used to help people with a condition called PCOS and it is also used to help treat infertility. Through research, people have begun to understand that there are three different things that Metformin can do. The first is that it helps decrease the absorption of carbohydrates into the blood stream. It also helps prevent the liver from making a lot of glucose. Finally, it also helps control the way the muscles react to insulin, which is why Metformin is helpful in treating PCOS and other female problems.

Treating Infertility With Metformin

One of the main benefits of Metformin (Glucophage) is that it can help with infertility, particularly with those who have PCOS. PCOS is a condition that can sometimes cause infertility. There was a study done that basically had forty eight women in it, all of which had PCOS and were trying to get pregnant. The end result of the study is that twenty of these women became pregnant. However, seven of these twenty ended up having miscarriages. But, it is hard to know if the miscarriages were from the drug itself or from the PCOS. It is a known fact that women with PCOS have a tendency to go through several miscarriages.

Side Effects Of Metformin

There are some side effects of using Metformin. One of the side effects is a little hard to describe because is known to cause a general feeling of being “unwell”. This includes an increase in aches and pains, and simply not feeling well. Other problems include problems with the gastrointestinal tract such as nausea and vomiting, problems with the absorption of Vitamin B12 in the body, higher homocysteine levels, increased risk for anemia, problems during pregnancy, hair loss, liver and kidney problems, lactic acidosis, and abnormal bile complications. It is important to know what the side effects are before making a decision to take this drug.

Law Suits Concerning Metformin

Some of the side effects, such as lactic acidosis, can actually be fatal. And, the side effects list for Metformin is quite long. Sometimes, people are either prescribed the drug without truly needing it, or their lives are considerably different because they experienced some of the more serious side effects such as lactic acidosis or liver or kidney disease. If this is the case, or if any side effects were experienced, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer to see if the patient has grounds for a lawsuit concerning Metformin.

Deciding To Take Metformin?

If a doctor prescribes Metformin, it is a good idea to do your own research concerning the drug and weigh the benefits and risks. The side effects list is very long and some of the conditions can be serious. The goal is to determine if taking the drug is worth it. If you have already taken the drug and have a bad experience, it is a good idea to find a lawyer and at least consult with them to see what the options are.

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