Which adverse effect on metformin led to switching to glyburide in this case?

Which adverse effect on metformin led to switching to glyburide in this case?

• A. Weight gain
• B. Hypoglycemia
• C. Diarrhea
• D. Hypertension

Answer: (C)

Metformin often causes gastrointestinal side effects, with diarrhea being one of the most common and dose-limiting issues. When diarrhea is persistent or severe, it can make continuing metformin intolerable, prompting a switch to another agent such as glyburide. Other options don’t fit as well: metformin isn’t typically associated with weight gain (it’s usually weight-neutral or may cause weight loss), hypoglycemia is not a common direct result of metformin (though it can occur with other drugs that are added), and hypertension isn’t tied to metformin’s adverse effects.

Metformin often causes gastrointestinal side effects, with diarrhea being one of the most common and dose-limiting issues. When diarrhea is persistent or severe, it can make continuing metformin intolerable, prompting a switch to another agent such as glyburide.

Other options don’t fit as well: metformin isn’t typically associated with weight gain (it’s usually weight-neutral or may cause weight loss), hypoglycemia is not a common direct result of metformin (though it can occur with other drugs that are added), and hypertension isn’t tied to metformin’s adverse effects.