Defining “Insulin” and “Metformin”
Two of the major treatment options for diabetes are insulin injection and metformin medication. Both of these treatment choices are prescribed based on the needs of the patients and the severity of the condition. Let us know the differences between these treatments and how they are effective enough in their purposes.
Metformin is a form of oral medication for diabetes. It only treats people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This medicine should be paired with a healthy diet and proper exercise to get all the benefits that the body needs in controlling its blood sugar levels. Oftentimes, it is combined with insulin for a better effectiveness rate in preventing diabetes and slowing its infectious range.
Meanwhile, insulin is characterized as a natural hormone that helps in stabilizing the body’s blood glucose levels. In terms of treating diabetes, this hormone provides the needed medical therapy for people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Individuals with these conditions need enough insulin support to stop the abnormal state of their blood sugar. Aside from that, insulin can prevent other health complications from happening.
Warnings and Precautions
In treating diabetes mellitus, it is also necessary to know the warning and precautions associated with metformin and insulin. What are these warnings? Consider the following:
For metformin:
- If you have a history of kidney disease, you should avoid consuming this medicine.
- If you are hypersensitive to this medicine, avoid using it as it can cause health complexities.
For insulin:
- If you have a history of kidney or liver disease, you should not incorporate insulin in your diabetes treatment.
- If you have a history of heart failure, make sure you speak with your healthcare professional first before using this medicine.
As you can see, there is a common subject that these two medicines share. However, the application differs. Always speak with your healthcare professional as you embark on your diabetes treatment.
Adverse Reactions
In every medicine, there is a list of corresponding side effects. And for metformin and insulin, they are no exceptions. These medicines share a quotient of different adverse reactions that diabetic individuals will experience once they start their treatment. Here are the following adverse reactions for both metformin and insulin.
Metformin:
- Pain in the muscles
- Coldness
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Unusual drowsiness
- Light-headedness
- Extreme weakness
- Pain in the stomach
- Vomiting
- Irregular heartbeat
- Low levels of blood sugar
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Insulin:
- Low levels of potassium
- Constipation
- Chest tightness
- Numbness
- Tingling muscles
- Low levels of blood sugar
- Swollen hands and feet
- Rapid weight gain
- Pain at the injection site
- Irregular heartbeat
These adverse reactions can be categorized as mild or severe, based on their effects on the body. If these effects do not vanish immediately and continue to persist, call your healthcare professional immediately and obtain the necessary medical care.
