Just been put on Metformin for Diabetes 2

oldwiring

After many years avoiding it I am now prescribed Metformin tablets for Diabestes type 2,

Who do I have to tell for my car insurance?
Will there be any restrictions etc put on me?

Quentin

You do need to inform your insurer.

Unless your doctor has said otherwise there should be no restrictions put on you. (You only need to inform DVLA after being told to by your doctor or if you have 2 hypoglycaemic episodes in 12 months.)

If you move on to insulin then you have to notify DVLA.

alistair.long

Hi, not related to insurance, but I am wondering how old you are and if you also suffer from blood pressure.
The reason why Im asking is I will hopefully be sorting out my farthers diabetes over the next few weeks.

oldwiring

@Quentin Thank you.:beer:
@ alistair.long

I used to suffer from high blood pressure, but that is kept at bay by the maintenance drugs since my CABG in 2003. I am somewhat older than Adrian Mole: I'm aged 74 and 3/4ths:D

growleygrumps

oldwiring wrote: »

After many years avoiding it I am now prescribed Metformin tablets for Diabestes type 2,

Who do I have to tell for my car insurance?
Will there be any restrictions etc put on me?

Please be careful with this one!:eek: My dad has been prescribed metformin for his diabetes and has been told he must inform DVLA and insurance company despite never having any hypo episodes. So he rung DVLA and they put him through to medical team who said they didn't need to know, however when he told his insurance company they did need to know and told him had he not advised them and he had an accident then his insurance would be invalid. He is 71 this year. It could depend on who your car insurance is with but it could be worth playing safe, he hasn't incured any extra charges for letting them know.

GG

butterfly72

I can't give you much info re the car insurance and dvla but I now patients I've looked after have informed them. But just for your information really, you don't normally get hypos with metformin. (non diabetes may have hypo if they overdose) I hope the mods don't mind me posting that as I'm sure your not supposed to give medical info. Anyway, I did double check the BNF and this is what it says in there. www.bnf.org

Diabetes can affect your eyes so regular optician/opthalmology checks would be necessary.

take care of yourself.

oldwiring

Phoned insurer: they do not even bother tol record the matter.

david39

I rang the DVLA when I was diagnosed with Diabetes 2 and they said it was not necessary to inform them - and they wrote me a confirmatory letter to that point which I have kept.

samasina

butterfly72 wrote: »

I can't give you much info re the car But just for your information really, you don't normally get hypos with metformin. (non diabetes may have hypo if they overdose) I hope the mods don't mind me posting that as I'm sure your not supposed to give medical info. Anyway, I did double check the BNF and this is what it says in there. www.bnf.org

Normally it wouldn't, however that would depend on if metformin monotherapy adequately-controlled his condition. Quoting the BNF isn't really wise without a full medical history IMO -then again, you may be qualified to do so.

ERICS_MUM

david39 wrote: »

I rang the DVLA when I was diagnosed with Diabetes 2 and they said it was not necessary to inform them - and they wrote me a confirmatory letter to that point which I have kept.

Yup, same for me.

butterfly72

samasina wrote: »

Normally it wouldn't, however that would depend on if metformin monotherapy adequately-controlled his condition. Quoting the BNF isn't really wise without a full medical history IMO -then again, you may be qualified to do so.

you're quite right! I shouldn't give advice full stop, let alone on such little information - it is the forum rules. I think I just wanted to reassure the OP that it wasn't the end of the world regarding the driving. I'll consider my wrist slapped!!!