I Accidentally Chewed My Metformin. Is That Okay?

Quick Answer

Chewing an immediate-release metformin tablet by mistake is unlikely to result in any harm or alter how the drug works. Nevertheless, it is advisable to avoid chewing metformin tablets due to their taste and texture.

There are other options available if you are finding the tablets difficult to swallow.

Detailed Answer

I'm sorry to hear you've had trouble getting your question answered but that's what we're here for! As always, we are more than happy to provide an answer here.

Metformin is an oral antidiabetic drug commonly used to manage high blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It is available in a variety of dosage forms including:

• Immediate-release tablets
• Extended-release tablets (there are several different 'ER' forms available)
• Liquid solution

As mentioned in the 'quick answer' section, chewing an immediate-release metformin 500mg tablet, though not recommended, should not have any significant negative effects on the medication's intended function.

However, it is important to note that immediate-release metformin tablets are not designed to be chewed. They are typically coated to make them easier to swallow and to improve their taste. Chewing the tablet can expose you to an unpleasant taste and texture, as metformin tablets can be somewhat chalky.

Additionally, the bitter taste of the medication may linger in your mouth, which can be unpleasant.

Again though, even though it won't taste good, you shouldn't expect any other negative consequences from having accidentally chewed your metformin immediate-release tablet.

Do Not Chew Extended-Release Metformin

It is worth mentioning that if you accidentally chewed an extended-release (ER) metformin tablet, the situation would be different.

ER formulations are designed to release the medication slowly over an extended period to provide a steady blood concentration and to improve tolerability.

Chewing an ER tablet can disrupt this mechanism and result in all the medication being released at once. If you mistakenly chew an ER metformin tablet, you are putting yourself at a greater risk of side effects.

Final Words

So, to reiterate, while accidentally chewing a non-extended-release metformin 500mg tablet should not cause any immediate harm or affect its intended function, it is best to avoid chewing the medication. You mentioned in your question this was a one-time accident, so it doesn't seem like you intend to keep on doing this.

I will say that if you have difficulty swallowing tablets, you may consider discussing alternative dosage forms (e.g., a liquid formulation or smaller-sized tablets) with your doctor. Immediate-release tablets too, can be crushed or split if necessary.

Thanks for reaching out to us and feel free to do so again anytime.