Rezulin vs. Metformin
Question:
Hi! I was diagnosed with PCO several years ago, and two months ago my RE tested me for diabetes and Insulin Resistance. I have been taking Rezulin for two months with excellent results, including normal blood glucose levels, and weight loss. (I am also following an ADA diet program). Recently, it was reported that Rezulin, which is fairly new on the market, can cause liver damage in a very small percentage of the population taking it. My RE first ordered a liver function test but then decided to take me off of the rezulin altogether. I have been prescribed Metformin (glucolage). I recall reading some things about metformin and it’s side effects. Honestly, though I did not pay much attention to them. Does anyone have any information about this medication, ie have you taken it, had any side effects, or success at lowering sugar and insulin levels? Also, has anyone else’s doctor felt that Rezulin was a risk? Thanks for all of your help!! Lynn
Response:
I’m a newly diagnosed PCO’er and my doctor has put me on Rezulin for 2 months as a trial. We discussed the liver issue and he said that just a few cases out of 550,000 on Rezulin didn’t seem to concern him. He did say that if I continue to take Rezulin he would monitor my liver. I noticed that the information from the pharmacy said to look for yellow skin and eyes. I wasn’t too worried about it after talking to my doctor. He said that he has had better success with Rezulin than with Metformin. I’m glad to hear you’ve had good results with Rezulin. How long did it take to get some relief from the PCO symptoms? B
Response:
I’m just finishing my 2-month trial on Rezulin (my insulin levels were normal, and my RE didn’t think Rezulin would work for me, but he was willing to try it), and I’m going to petition my doc hard to continue it, if the liver tests come back ok. It’s making me ovulate and cycle fairly normally, which I’ve never had happen before. The initial side effects were rough — not so much the drug itself (a little stomach irritation was all) as from the hormonal changes it caused. My body simply wasn’t used to dealing with such high levels of endogenous estrogen or progesterone — I was exhausted, depressed, out-of-it… I seem to be adjusting now, though. As for the androgenic effects of PCO: actually, it’s made my skin a little *worse* (still the effect of dealing with normal amounts of progesterone after having virtually none in my system, I think), and I haven’t noticed a difference with the hair yet, but my understanding is that those things can take a good six months to see improvement. On the other hand, I’ve already shed substantial weight without altering my diet at all. I’m hopeful. Overall — I highly recommend it. Good luck! -R.
Response:
I have been on Metformin for about three months for PCOS symptoms. I am not trying to become pg, I am trying to loose weight. I haven’t been able to loose weight even though I have tried low carb/ low fat/zoning and exercise all the time. I hope to try Rezulin in the next few weeks since I heard PCOS symptoms esp. weight problems show better results with Rezulin.
Response:
Ruth Bennett (rbenn…@darkwing.uoregon.edu) wrote:
: I’m just finishing my 2-month trial on Rezulin (my insulin levels were : normal, and my RE didn’t think Rezulin would work for me, but he was : willing to try it), and I’m going to petition my doc hard to continue it, : if the liver tests come back ok. It’s making me ovulate and cycle fairly : normally, which I’ve never had happen before. what was your dose level? G.
Response:
On 26 Nov 1997, Frank Nin wrote: > what was your dose level?
I’m taking (my doc approved it for me to continue, yay) 400 mg/day. I’m not sure how helpful this is as general information, though — I’m *quite* small (95 lbs), and the "normal" dose of virtually any drug acts as a high-dose drug on me. -R.
Response:
>I have been on Metformin for about three months for PCOS symptoms. I am not >trying to become pg, I am trying to loose weight. I haven’t been able to >loose >weight even though I have tried low carb/ low fat/zoning and exercise all the >time.
Just curious…What dosage of Metformin are you on? I’ve been on Metformin for three months as well at the lower dosage that Dr. Glueck recommends, the 500 mg three times a day. I haven’t seen any results at this dosage and am trying to get my doctor to up my dosage to the 800 mg three times a day. I am trying to get pg and am charting my temperature and taking the OPK’s. Nothing so far. I haven’t ovulated yet. Anybody out there having similar results? Thanks! Missy
Response:
MissiMowse (missimo…@aol.com) wrote:
: Just curious…What dosage of Metformin are you on? I’ve been on Metformin for : three months as well at the lower dosage that Dr. Glueck recommends, the 500 mg : three times a day. I haven’t seen any results at this dosage Missi, My wife Lisa is on a sililar dosage as you (800mg/2 times per day) and like you, Metforming is not doing anything for her. We are working with our RE to up the dosage to 800mg 3 times a day. Seems like that is the ticket. Our RE is reluctant because an article he read in the New England Journal of Medicine where they recomend about 1500mg / day for treatment of PCO. Next cycle we are going to do a Metforming/Clomid cocktail thing and see if it works for us. 1600mg/50mg Metforming/Clomid dosages. I would be interested in finding out weather or not you start ovulating on a regular cycle once you up your dose to 800mg 3 times each day. G.
Response:
I have been taking 500mg (two in morning, two at dinner and one at lunch for total of 2500 mg). Now I am off the Metformin and taking 200mg per day (just one tablet) of Rezulin.
Response:
>I would be interested in finding out weather or not you start ovulating on a >regular cycle once you up your dose to 800mg 3 times each day.
Don’t worry! If (or when!) I do ovulate with the Metformin I will definitely post about it here. Thanks for the support, friends! Missy
Response:
Has anyone heard whether the side effects of Metformin (stomach upset, diarreah, nausea,cramping) are worse or better than Rezulin. Same for the ovulatory side effects. I’m trying to take the Metformin now but I can hardly function due to the stomach side effects. I was just wandering if switching to Rezulin would help. Thanks! Jill Primary and Secondary IF Clomid, Tamoxifen, Humegon Now trying Metformin
Response:
I take Rezulin and from day one I never had any side effects. I think it is wonderful! I even started my period the first 3 weeks. I have been on it since april and I am trying to get pregnant. Last month was my first 28 day cycle and I ovulated on the 15th day. SO please cross your fingers and hold you breath. Thanks Jen
Response:
Filed under: PCOS Symptoms
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