Description
Metformin is a biguanide, the medicine most often used first alongside diet and exercise to lower blood glucose in type 2 diabetes. It reduces the amount of glucose the liver releases, slows how much glucose is absorbed from food, and helps the body respond better to its own insulin. It does not make the pancreas produce more insulin, so used on its own it rarely causes hypoglycaemia.
Standard tablets are taken with or just after food, starting at a low dose and increasing gradually, which reduces the nausea, wind, and loose stools that are common at the beginning and often settle. Kidney function is checked before treatment and regularly during it. Treatment is paused around scans using iodinated contrast dye, around surgery, and during illness with vomiting, diarrhoea or fever.
Long term use can lower vitamin B12, which is monitored. Tell your prescriber how much alcohol you drink.
- Biguanide, usually the first tablet used in type 2 diabetes
- 500mg and 850mg tablets, taken with or just after food
- Started low and increased gradually to reduce stomach upset
- Rarely causes hypoglycaemia when used on its own
- Kidney function is checked before and during treatment
- Paused around contrast scans, surgery and dehydrating illness
