Seeing intact metformin tablets in your stool suggests your body isn’t absorbing the medication properly. This isn’t always a cause for immediate alarm, but warrants attention. Contact your doctor if you notice this consistently, for example, for more than a week.
Factors to Report to Your Physician
Beyond the persistent presence of intact tablets, report these factors to your doctor: significantly elevated blood glucose levels despite taking metformin, new or worsening symptoms of diabetes, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal distress accompanying the undigested metformin, or changes in your medication regimen or health condition. Your doctor will assess your situation and determine the next steps, which may include adjusting your dosage, changing to a different formulation of metformin, or exploring alternative diabetes treatments.
When Immediate Medical Attention Is Needed
Seek immediate medical help if you experience severe gastrointestinal distress, such as intense abdominal pain, vomiting, or bloody stools alongside undigested metformin. These could indicate a more serious problem requiring urgent care.
