If you’re prescribed slow-release tablets, you’ll likely have to take just one dose per day. Slow-release tablets lead to a slower, sustained release of metformin in the body. Standard-release tablets lead to a quick release of metformin in the body, and you might find that you have to take them several times per day, depending on the specific dose that you’ve been prescribed. Metformin can be taken as standard-release tablets and slow-release tablets. Your doctor will prescribe you a dose of metformin that can be up to 2000 mg/day. In fact, metformin can be expected to lead to minor weight loss, as it reduces your appetite. Metformin is one of the only weight-neutral antidiabetic medications, meaning that unlike other medications used to treat T2D, metformin won’t make you gain weight. Metformin reduces the amount of glucose that your liver produces, increasing insulin sensitivity in the body and reducing intestinal absorption of glucose. Metformin represent the first choice of medicine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes It’s important to know that metformin increases the pregnancy potential in premenopausal women. Metformin is also used in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) to decrease insulin levels, which results in a normalised menstruation cycle. Metformin is often prescribed when these strategies are no longer effective at lowering hyperglycaemia. Metformin is regarded as a safe, well-tolerated and effective first-line medication for diabetes due to its ability to reduce blood glucose levels, increase your body’s sensitivity to insulin (the hormone responsible for the regulation of blood sugar levels) and reduce intestinal absorption of glucose.Įarly in the diagnosis of T2D, lifestyle interventions such as diet optimisation and increased levels of exercises are recommended to keep your blood sugar levels in check. Metformin is widely used to treat early stage T2D and even prevent this condition in those that have a high risk of developing it. Originally synthesised in the 1940’s during a search for antimalarial drugs, metformin is a drug with over 60 years of history of use in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). ‍ What is metformin and what is metformin used for? A further 13.6 million people are at increased risk of diabetes. It is a serious, lifelong condition that results in levels of blood glucose being too high (hyperglycaemia).Īcross the UK, roughly 4.9 million people have diabetes, and a further 850,000 are thought to be living with undiagnosed diabetes. ‍ Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions around the world. We'll cover how metformin works, how to take it, potential side effects, taking metformin while pregnant, and much more. Join us as we explore our complete guide to the antidiabetic medication, metformin.

Most serious side effect of metformin