Show ratings & reviews for

3.7 Overall Rating

Effectiveness

Ease of Use

Satisfaction

Most voted positive review

15 People found this comment helpful

I take Fortamet to treat PCOS. The 1000mg dose is a very large tablet, and since I cannot break it up, it can be difficult to swallow. However, it is much easier on my stomach than Metformin.

Most voted negative review

2 People found this comment helpful

I almost choked to death the first (and only)time I tried to take it. I had to be taken by ambulance to the ED and they administered medication by IV to enable me to swallow this HUGE pill. Watson Pharmaceuticals told me they would reimburse me my $40.00 copay, but it has been 7 weeks and all they have done is give me the run around. I wouldn't recommend this medication to anyone.

Shared reviews and ratings

Anonymous | 35-44 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
7/3/2011
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

just started taking 500mg once a day for 30days then 2x a day after that of fortamet seems to work better for me then generic metformin stick to brand no diarrhea.. good luck hope this helps i hope i can lose weight on it and my a1c numbers go down..

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Anonymous | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
2/27/2011
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
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guiness | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
11/12/2010
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Have been using this medication for over four years and watching my diet... Last blood work results showed my levels have decreased so whatever I am doing I am doing something correct...

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Anonymous | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/1/2010
Condition: Diabetes During Pregnancy
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I experienced hair loss and terrible acid indigestion. Otherwise it worked really good.

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Anonymous | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
10/2/2010
Condition: Disease of Ovaries with Cysts
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

My only motivation for writing this review is to help those of you with digestive trouble due to taking Fortamet ER(metformin). I had severe upset stomach when taking generic metformin so my doctor switched me to Fortamet ER. Although it is the same drug as metformin, the extended release tablet helps with digestive problems by not dumping so much medication into your system at once. The MOST important thing to know about taking any metformin drug is to eat LOTS of protein when you take the pills and throughout the day. My doctor even recommended drinking a protein shake, which has about 23g of protein, with the medicine. Doing this stopped any stomach upset I was having. The other key to avoiding side effects is to build up slowly to your ideal dose.Read More Read Less

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workoutgirl | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
9/2/2010
Condition: Other
Overall rating 3.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been taking this now for several months and still have intermittent diarrhea; however, not interefering with daily activites. It does seem to give me a loss of appetite, however. I do feel better since I've been taking it for PCOS.

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Anonymous | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
8/4/2010
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

The pills are very thick and hard to swallow. I have lost abt 25 lbs because of diarrea, my a1c numbers are good but the quality of life not so good, my doctor says it should get better, I am tired of changing drugs

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Anonymous | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
7/27/2010
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I take it along with Byetta every day for about 2 years.

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ls | 25-34 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
3/12/2010
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have only been on it for two weeks; I have learned to deal with the headaches, as that seems to be the only side effect for now.

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sizzler | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
3/2/2010
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Fortamet has worked with my blood sugar numbers. Can't take the big 1000 pill. Using two 500 daily. My one complaint is the smell of this medication -- smells like old fish.

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Anonymous | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/4/2010
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I almost choked to death the first (and only)time I tried to take it. I had to be taken by ambulance to the ED and they administered medication by IV to enable me to swallow this HUGE pill. Watson Pharmaceuticals told me they would reimburse me my $40.00 copay, but it has been 7 weeks and all they have done is give me the run around. I wouldn't recommend this medication to anyone.

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Anonymous | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
9/23/2009
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

It's the best metformin the only one I can use But I can't afford it.

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GEV | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
7/22/2009
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Although the meds helped keep my blood sugar down, I have experienced bad headaches and dizziness with nauseau.

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clovercat | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
7/7/2009
Condition: Disease of Ovaries with Cysts
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

While the 1000mg pill is difficult to swallow because of its size, I had little/no side effects with this compared to the nausea/diarrhea I experienced with taking two 500mg metformin er pills.

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Anonymous | 25-34 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
5/11/2009
Condition: Disease of Ovaries with Cysts
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I learned to take it right at bed-entire dose of 2000 mg and it takes away all nauseau (sp) and diarrhea.

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BaylorBearister | 55-64 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
4/2/2009
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been taking Fortamet for just over one week. I have had intermittent diarrhea. The most significant side effect has been a bad taste that makes foods taste the way old cigarette ashes smell.

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lindamcb58 | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
3/8/2009
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

It took 4 days of taking this before I got severe diarrhea that I had to take anti diarrhea meds for. I didn't take one last night and I still had diarrhea this morning. I can't take Metformin and I told the doctor that. They assured me that this was not Metformin, it is, just in a different form.

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Neblina | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
2/26/2009
Condition: Other
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

On August my sugar was 150. Last test (February) it lowered to 101. My cycles are coming back to normal and ovulation has improved.

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Anonymous | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/22/2008
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

The difference in the Metformin that I was on and the Fortamet is that the Metformin was "fast acting" and now the Fortamet that I am on is "slow acting"...according to my endocronologist. I have a friend who had the same reaction with the metformin and the fortamet has also helped her. Take the fortamet just as directed and you should feel better and have better readings. Stick to your diet. I feel better than I have in years. I have a son who is a Type I diabetic and he eats right and exericises every day and is doing great.Read More Read Less

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England | 35-44 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
11/14/2008
Condition: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I just started taking this last night but I'm confused after reading the reviews. You say you couldn't take Metformin and now on Fortamet and doing better. The box I'm looking at right now says Fortamet Metformin HCI extended-release tablets 500 mg. So aren't they the same???

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