Name: Glucophage SR
Published: Jun 29, 2024

Glucophage SR

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Reviewed on Jun 29, 2024. by Dr Daniel Atkinson GP Clinical Lead Registered with GMC (No. 4624794) Next review due on June 11, 2028.

Last updated on Jun 29, 2024.

Product info

Glucophage SR is a pill for diabetes.
It works by lowering blood sugar levels by reducing glucose production.
Within a couple of days you should notice an improvement in your blood sugar levels.

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Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£30.95

Save £0.00 each order

Glucophage SR: essential info
Glucophage SR: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

What is Glucophage SR?

Glucophage SR is a pill treatment for non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, also known as pre-diabetes. People affected by non-diabetic hyperglycaemia have blood sugar levels which are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes.^[1]
Treating raised blood sugar levels early is essential in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, and that’s where medications like Glucophage SR come into play.

It can also help with type 2 diabetes by keeping your blood sugar levels manageable. It’s usually a good option if diet and exercise changes haven’t brought your diabetes under control. Glucophage SR is a prolonged or slow-release form of Glucophage, a medication that lowers your blood sugar. Being slow-release just means that the effects of the medication happen over a long period of time. It also means you don’t have to take the pills as often.

How does Glucophage SR work?

Glucophage SR has the active ingredient metformin hydrochloride. It’s a type of medication called a biguanide, which stops the overproduction of glucose in your liver.^[2]
It makes an enzyme called AMPK work harder than usual, which allows your cells to respond better to the insulin in your body, so you can manage your blood sugar.

It also helps you reabsorb glucose from your blood. This helps to lower your blood sugar levels and keep them stable. So your hyperglycaemia or type 2 diabetes are brought under control and you can live your life as normal.

What doses of Glucophage SR are there?

Glucophage SR comes in three different size tablets: 500mg, 750mg, and 1000mg tablets. People usually start on the lowest dosage of 500mg. After about two weeks of taking the pills, your dose might be increased. Your clinician will monitor you and check in with you regularly to see how treatment is working out.

The maximum daily dose of Glucophage SR is 2000mg (four 500mg tablets), but most people need a lot less than this. Your clinician might prescribe Glucophage SR by itself or in combination with other antidiabetic medication or insulin, but it depends on the severity of your condition.

Treated trusted sources:

NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) Non-diabetic hyperglycaemia Produced by: National Cardiovascular Intelligence Network (NCVIN). (2015).
Rena, G., Hardie, D.G. and Pearson, E.R. (2017). The mechanisms of action of metformin. Diabetologia, [online] 60(9), pp.1577–1585.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on June 11, 2025. Next review due on June 11, 2028.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

How to take Glucophage SR

Always follow your clinician’s advice on taking Glucophage SR. If you have any questions and you’ve ordered with us, just log into your account and send us a message. There are some general guidelines you can keep in mind too. Swallow your tablet or tablets whole with a glass of water. Don’t crush or chew them Take your medication once a day, preferably in the evening. Setting alarms or using a reminder app on your phone can help you remember You should take Glucophage SR with food to help you absorb the medication. Taking it with your evening meal might work well for you In some cases people are asked to take Glucophage SR twice a day. If that’s the case for you, try taking it with your main meals Glucophage contains the active ingredient metformin. Metformin has been linked to birth defects in the sons of men who took metformin in the 3 months before conception, so talk to your doctor about alternative treatments if you’re male and thinking of starting a family. ^[1]

How long does it take Glucophage SR to work?

Glucophage SR is a slow-release medication. So your blood sugar levels won’t reduce instantly after you take it, but you should notice a difference within a couple of days. The medication slowly builds up in your system, so it might take four or five days to reach full effectiveness. If you’ve been taking Glucophage SR for over a week and there’s little difference in your blood sugar levels, contact our clinician. They can review your treatment with you and help you decide if you need a higher dose or a different form of treatment.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Glucophage SR?

If you accidentally take more Glucophage SR than you’re supposed to, don’t worry too much. Glucophage SR overdoses are uncommon and you’re likely to be fine. ^[2]
But if you notice any unusual symptoms after taking the tablets, get emergency medical attention. A clinician can monitor your symptoms and treat them as they occur. If you forget to take your Glucophage SR tablet when you’re meant to, take your next dose at the usual time. Never take a double dose to make up for missing one.

Treated trusted sources:

Summary for Patients: Preconception Antidiabetic Drugs in Men and Birth Defects in Offspring. (2022). Annals of Internal Medicine, 175(5), p.I26. doi:10.7326/p22-0003.
Suchard, J.R. and Grotsky, T.A. (2008). Fatal metformin overdose presenting with progressive hyperglycemia. The western journal of emergency medicine, [online] 9(3), pp.160–4.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Daniel Atkinson on June 11, 2025. Next review due on June 11, 2028.

How we source info.

FAQ: Glucophage SR

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Do I need a prescription for Glucophage SR?

Answer:

Yes, you do need a prescription to get Glucophage SR. This is because this medication is only suitable for people with type-2 diabetes or non-diabetic hyperglycaemia. So, a clinician will need to make sure that it’s right for you before you use it.

They’ll also want to check in with you during treatment to make sure everything is going well and your blood sugar is better under control. If you’re wondering if Glucophage SR might be right for you, you can talk to one of our clinicians about your health.

How effective is Glucophage SR?

Answer:

Glucophage SR is an effective treatment for non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, as it helps lower your blood sugar over a long period of time. Studies have shown that Glucophage SR reduces the probability of developing type 2 diabetes in people with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia by 31%. ^[1]

Remember that lifestyle changes are also important for managing non-diabetic hyperglycaemia and type 2 diabetes. Exercising more and eating a balanced diet can help manage your condition and make Glucophage SR more effective.

For people with type 2 diabetes, in a study of 886 people with the condition, sustained-release metformin worked just as well as instant-release for controlling blood sugar levels and helping with weight loss. The sustained-release form also caused fewer side effects and stomach discomfort. ^[2]

Can I drink alcohol on Glucophage SR?

Answer:

You should try to reduce or completely cut out alcohol intake while taking Glucophage SR. It’s important that you don’t drink regularly or have more than two units of alcohol a day. That’s about a pint of lower strength beer or cider, or a small glass of wine.

Drinking too much alcohol while on Glucophage SR can cause a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is a build-up of lactic acid that can cause problems with your liver and kidneys, or even coma. ^[3] So to be safe, it’s often best if you stop drinking completely whilst taking treatment.

Is Glucophage SR similar to any other treatments?

Answer:

Glucophage SR is the branded version of Metformin. Both of these have the same active ingredients and should work similarly, if not identically. The main difference between them is the appearance of the tablets and the price. You can buy the generic version of Glucophage SR, Metformin, in an instant or slow-release form.

There’s also an instant release version of Glucophage SR. This can sometimes cause more side effects, like an upset stomach. You also have to take it more often than the slow-release version, so it can be less convenient. Our clinician can help you decide which version is the most suitable for you.

Treated trusted sources:

Aroda, V.R. and Ratner, R.E. (2018). Metformin and Type 2 Diabetes Prevention. Diabetes Spectrum, [online] 31(4), pp.336–342.
Guo, L., Liu, G., Chen, L., Wang, H., Guo, J., Zheng, X., Duan, B., Wang, D., Zhu, W., Wang, K., Tan, W., Chen, Q., Li, Q., Yang, J., Zhang, Q., Xie, P. and Lei, M., 2021. Comparison of Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Metformin Sustained-Release Tablet (II) (Dulening) and Metformin Tablet (Glucophage) in Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12.
Krzymień, J. and Karnafel, W. (2013). Lactic acidosis in patients with diabetes. Polish Archives of Internal Medicine, 123(3), pp.91–97