what happens if you quit taking metformin

Type 2 diabetes occurs when cells in the body stop responding appropriately to insulin. As a result, the amount of glucose, or sugar, in the blood increases too much. 

 Several lifestyle factors can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, including: 

 being overweight or obese 

 engage in low levels of physical activity 

 eat a bad diet 

 Metformin is an oral medication that helps control the effects of type 2 diabetes. In people with prediabetes, it can also help prevent or delay the onset of the disease. Doctors prescribe metformin to nearly 120 million people around the world. 

 In this article, we look at the side effects of metformin and why a person with type 2 diabetes might want to stop taking it. We are also looking at the risks of not taking metformin and some alternatives.

Reasons for stopping metformin

Due to the side effects of metformin and other diabetes medications, a person may prefer to control type 2 diabetes with lifestyle changes. 
 Even people who do not experience any side effects may want to avoid long-term use of the drug. 
 Many people with type 2 diabetes find that they can control their disease simply by making lifestyle changes. These may include: 
 Making dietary changes: A 2017Trusted Source review found that making dietary changes can significantly reduce symptoms of diabetes type 2  and prevent complications. Weight loss: In a 2018Trusted Source study, nearly half of the participants reversed their type 2 diabetes and stopped taking their diabetes medication after a 12-month weight loss program. Exercise regularly: A 2014 Trusted Source study found that just one exercise session can provide temporary improvement in symptoms of type 2 diabetes.