Metformin

Metformin is a drug that helps treat diabetes. It belongs to the class of drugs called biguanides, which stop your liver from making glucose. ^[1]
This helps you control your blood sugar and also makes your body more responsive to the insulin naturally produced by your pancreas.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition which causes your blood sugar level to get too high. Unstable blood sugar levels can be caused by limited insulin production, or insulin resistance that prevents your body from using insulin effectively.

Metformin is a tablet you take two or three times a day to control your blood sugar as directed by our clinician. It’s available in several different doses under several brand and generic labels including Glucophage, Diagemet, Sukkarto and more.

Metformin lowers your blood sugar levels in many ways. It’s known as an ‘insulin sensitiser’ because, instead of increasing insulin production, it enhances the effect of insulin to lower your blood sugar levels. This allows your body to respond to insulin more effectively.^[1]

Additionally, metformin reduces glucose production in the liver, by decreasing gluconeogenesis, which converts sugar to glucose. It does this by inhibiting key enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis. ^[1]

Metformin is available in two doses: 500mg and 850mg. The only difference between these options is the amount of metformin hydrochloride there is in each one. Our clinician can decide which dose of Metformin you need based on your medical history.

If your kidneys are impaired, they will likely start you on the lower dose. Metformin is also available in an extended-release (ER) form. While both forms contain the same active ingredient, they are taken in different ways.

Taking Metformin tablets is easy and convenient. They should be taken two or three times each day before or with your meals (or once a day if you’re taking the extended release tablets). Don’t crush or bite your Metformin. Swallow it whole with water.

If our clinician has prescribed you with two doses each day, take one with breakfast and one at dinner. Should you need a third dose, take it with your lunch around noon. You should discuss any other medications you’re taking with our clinician before you start using Metformin. There are many drugs that can interact with it.

You should experience better control of your blood sugar within one or two weeks of starting Metformin. But it will take about two to three months to see the full benefits.^[1]

If after a couple months, you haven’t noticed any improvements in your sugar levels or you still feel the same way, you should tell our clinician now. They may need to increase your dose or prescribe a different medication for your type 2 diabetes.

It’s important that you take Metformin as instructed so that your type 2 diabetes doesn’t worsen. If you forget to take a dose, simply take your next dose on time. Never take twice the dose to make up for a missed one.

Taking too much Metformin can cause your blood sugar levels to dip too low. It can also trigger a life threatening condition called lactic acidosis, which causes vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms, you need to seek medical attention immediately.