Why are doctors taking people off metformin?

Name: Stopping Metformin: What Happens & When to Call Your Doctor
Uploaded: 2025-03-31T12:45:10+00:00
Duration: 3 min 46 s

Editorial team InsuredAndMore.com Published on October 18, 2026

Doctors take patients off metformin primarily due to declining kidney function, severe stomach side effects, upcoming medical procedures, or successful diabetes remission through lifestyle changes.

Common Reasons for Stopping Metformin

Kidney Problems: Metformin leaves the body through the kidneys. If kidney function drops, the drug can build up and cause a dangerous condition called lactic acidosis.
Intolerable Side Effects: Persistent stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, or gas lead some people to stop the medication.
Diabetes Remission: Sustained weight loss, healthy eating, and exercise can lower blood sugar so well that a patient reaches remission and no longer needs the drug.
Medical Scans and Surgery: Doctors temporarily stop metformin before surgeries or imaging tests that use contrast dye to protect the kidneys.
Newer Medications: Physicians sometimes switch patients to newer drugs like GLP-1 receptor agonists or SGLT2 inhibitors that offer extra heart or kidney protection.