In the United Kingdom, millions are grappling with diabetes, a medical condition that impacts their blood glucose levels. The prevalence of this condition has reached unprecedented heights, with recent statistics revealing that over 5.8 million individuals are affected.

According to Diabetes UK, nearly 4.6 million people in the UK have received a diabetes diagnosis. However, an estimated 1.3 million individuals may have type 2 diabetes but remain undiagnosed. The organization reports that the number of people living with diabetes continues to rise. Data from 2023-24 indicates an increase of 185,034 cases compared to the previous year.

Diabetes is characterized by an elevation in blood sugar levels. The condition manifests in three primary forms.

These include Type 1 diabetes, which is typically diagnosed in childhood and is not preventable; Type 2 diabetes, which can often be managed or prevented through dietary modifications; and gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy.

Individuals with Type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy. In contrast, those with Type 2 or gestational diabetes can often manage their condition through lifestyle adjustments, such as adopting a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, and achieving weight loss.

In some cases, medication is also necessary to manage the condition. Metformin is one of the most frequently prescribed drugs for diabetes management, with over 26 million prescriptions issued in England last year alone.

However according to the NHS there are some important symptoms to watch for if you are taking the medication. Posting on the NHS website it states there are six common side effects. These are:

• feeling sick
• being sick
• diarrhoea
• stomach ache
• loss of appetite
• metallic taste in the mouth

There is also a risk of B12 deficiency and people taking the medication can sometimes have low blood sugar but this is only usually if taking it alongside other diabetes medicines, such as insulin or gliclazide.

But it warns there are some other side effects that are more serious. On two occasions this means contacting your GP “straight away” and one means dialling 999 “now”.

Serious side effects

The NHS says: “Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 10,000 people. However you should call your doctor or dial 111 straight away if:

• you get a general feeling of being unwell with severe tiredness, fast or shallow breathing, being cold and a slow heartbeat
• the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow, although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin – this can be a sign of liver problems.”

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to metformin. The NHS says: “You should call 999 now if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

“You or the person who’s unwell may also have a rash that’s swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.”