Will Metformin Affect Your Life Insurance Premiums?

Many of our clients often wonder, “Will metformin affect your life insurance rates?”

The answer, without much detail is, yes. Definitely. However, it’s not always negative. It’s one factor of many, and it could even help you obtain a competitive policy.

Can Taking Metformin Affect Your Life Insurance Approval Chances?

Metformin hydrochloride is a prescription medication that, when taken orally, helps to control blood sugar levels. It can be used in combination with other medications or insulin to aid those with type 2 diabetes improve control of their blood sugar. Metformin, when taken with insulin or an oral antidiabetic medicine known as a sulfonylurea, will help the body to restore the way it uses food to make energy.

Many patients control type 2 diabetes through diet and exercise. The amount of Metformin prescribed must be carefully controlled and balanced based on the amount and type of food consumed, as well as the level of physical activity.

Those with type 1 diabetes who are insulin-dependent will not benefit from Metformin due to pancreas gland’s inability to produce insulin.

Metformin Defined

Metformin hydrochloride is an oral antihyperglycemic drug. It is a white to off-white crystalline compound that is freely soluble in water.

It decreases absorption of glucose intestinally and reduces hepatic glucose production. Metformin does not cause hyperinsulinemia and does not cause hypoglycemia in patients, either or without type 2 diabetes.

Metformin hydrochloride tablets USP 500mg are supplied as round, white tablets. One side is debossed with “500.” 850 mg tablets of Metformin hydrochloride are also round white tablets and debossed with “850” on one side. 1,000 mg tablets are oval white tablets and are debossed with “10|00” on one side. Each dosage is available in bottles of 100, 500, or 1000. Storage recommendations include maintaining temperatures of 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why Is Metformin Prescribed?

Metformin is prescribed to patients with high blood sugar whose bodies are unable to control the production of glucose. It lessens the amount of sugar that the liver makes and that is then absorbed by the stomach and the intestines. As it works to control high blood sugar, Metformin also controls and prevents the following:

• Kidney damage
• Blindness
• Nerve problems
• Loss of limbs
• Sexual function problems

By properly and effectively controlling diabetes, Metformin also lessens the risk of heart attack or stroke.

What Symptoms Does Metformin Treat?

Treating symptoms of high blood sugar, Metformin helps with:

• Increased thirst
• Headaches
• Trouble concentrating
• Blurred vision
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Blood sugar level more than 180 mg/dL
• Weight loss

What Are Potential Risks Associated with Metformin?

Metformin poses risks and side effects that patients should be aware of before beginning this medication. Doctors prescribe this drug with the full knowledge that the risks of the health condition may outweigh risks or side effects of the medication itself.

Common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Metallic taste in mouth

Stomach symptoms present after the initial days of treatment may be a sign of lactic acidosis. If they persist, call a doctor and stop the medication.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is not caused by Metformin. It can, however, occur if prescribed with other diabetes medications. If any of the following symptoms occur, call the doctor right away:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Sleepiness
• Weakness
• Shaking
• Fast heartbeat
• Confusion
• Hunger
• Sweating

Seniors aged 65 or older should use this medication with care as more side effects may occur.

Alcohol Interaction

The consumption of alcoholic drinks may increase the risk of lactic acidosis when taking Metformin. It can also raise or lower blood sugar levels.

Interactions With Other Medications

First, always ensure all medications are current with the doctor or pharmacist to avoid possible interactions. Listed below are other medicines that may interact with Metformin:

Drug Type	Reaction
Diabetes Drugs	Insulin or any medications that release insulin, such as glyburide, can cause low blood sugar levels.
Heart or Blood Pressure Medications	Drugs such as furosemide and nifedipine may increase the levels of metformin in the body, causing an increased danger of side effects. Other drugs such as calcium channel blockers and diuretics may lessen the levels of metformin present in the body, which may affect its ability to lower blood sugar.
Heart Rhythm Drugs	Metformin may affect the level of these medications in the body, such as digoxin or quinidine. This would, in turn, affect their ability to work as efficiently as they should.
Cholesterol Drugs	Nicotinic acid may affect Metformin’s ability to lower blood sugar.
Antibiotics	Using Metformin while taking antibiotics, such as trimethoprim and vancomycin, can increase the level of the antibiotics in the system, which can increase the risk of side effects.
Stomach Related Drugs	Prescriptions such as cimetidine and ranitidine may be affected by Metformin and may not work as effectively as intended.