Study on the Side Effects and Complications of Metformin on Diabetic Patients

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Metformin is prescribed worldwide, and treatment periods have increased, so, the prevalence of metformin-induced manifestations may have also significantly increased. The main study objective was to assess the self-reported side effects of the prescribed metformin in diabetic patients, to show the metformin complications and to show other uses of Metformin among the study participants. This cross-sectional study was conducted on a selected section of people in the Mecca region in Saudi Arabia from January 2021 to April 2021. Questionnaires were self-administered. The analysis included descriptive analysis in terms of central tendency and dispersion or percentage presentation. Inferential analysis was done using the chi-square test. The sample consisted of 389 respondents from more than five different nationalities. Age and feeling of numbness were statistically related (p<.01). There was no substantial link between the age group of the respondent and self-reported indigestion as an effect of metformin, p=0.205. The reason for taking metformin was not statistically associated with the self-reported mouth ulcers p=0.059. Higher doses, typically lower than 800mg, leads to higher side effects. There were mixed results regarding the duration of medication and the reported side effects, with generally higher incidences of side effects as age increased up to 35 years.