Rx · Prescription required
Metformin
Glucophage® · Glumetza® · Fortamet®
FDA-approved as a first-line medicine to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10+ with type 2 diabetes.
- Drug class
- Biguanide
- How it is given
- Tablet, once or twice daily
- Prescription
- Required
- Dispensed by
- DiRx Inc. · licensed pharmacy
FDA status: Glucophage® and the other brand-name versions listed are FDA-approved medicines. Generic versions, where available, are FDA-approved equivalents.
Locked
Pricing is shared after you speak with our team and a licensed doctor approves treatment. Clinics see pricing after account verification.
Important safety information
Metformin is a prescription medicine. It is not right for everyone: severe kidney disease; metabolic acidosis; around iodinated contrast imaging or major surgery without a plan to pause; heavy alcohol use. Tell your doctor about every condition you have and every medicine and supplement you take.
Common side effects are described below. Stop and seek care for any severe or unexpected reaction. This page is education, not medical advice; your doctor and pharmacist give the instructions for your treatment.
How to get started
- Message us on WhatsApp or call (954) 420-7747.
- Talk with a licensed doctor, who reviews your health history and decides if this medicine is right for you.
- If prescribed, our team shares pricing and a licensed pharmacy fills your order.
Plain-language guide
Metformin, explained by our clinical team
What it is
Metformin has been the foundation of type 2 diabetes care for decades. It lowers the amount of sugar the liver releases and helps the body use insulin more effectively, without causing weight gain or low blood sugar on its own.
It is inexpensive, well studied and usually the first medicine a doctor adds when diet and exercise are not enough.
FDA-approved uses
- Type 2 diabetes in adults and children 10 years and older, with diet and exercise
Our doctors prescribe for approved uses. Any other use is a decision made only by your doctor, for you, after evaluation.
How it is taken
Taken with meals, starting at a low dose and increased over weeks to reduce stomach upset. Extended-release tablets are taken once daily with the evening meal.
What to expect
Gradual improvement in fasting and average blood sugar. Stomach upset, loose stools and a metallic taste are common at first. Vitamin B12 levels are checked periodically.
Who should not take it
- Severe kidney disease
- Metabolic acidosis
- Around iodinated contrast imaging or major surgery without a plan to pause
- Heavy alcohol use
Questions we hear
Does metformin cause weight loss?
It is weight-neutral to slightly favorable, but it is not approved as a weight-loss medicine and we do not prescribe it for that purpose.
Is the "anti-aging" use real?
That is being studied; metformin is not approved for it and our doctors prescribe it for its approved use only.
Immediate or extended release?
Extended release is gentler on the stomach and taken once a day; your doctor will choose.
Real molecular structure
The molecule: Metformin
Drag to rotate. Every atom and bond below comes from the public PubChem database of the U.S. National Institutes of Health; nothing is drawn by AI.
- Formula
- C4H11N5
- Molar mass
- 129.2 g/mol
- Heavy atoms
- 9
- PubChem CID
- 4091 ↗
Source: PubChem, National Library of Medicine (public domain).
Watch & learn
Videos: how it works and how it is used
Independent videos from doctors, hospitals and health educators on YouTube. They are for general education; your doctor gives the instructions for your treatment.
How to use an Ozempic (semaglutide) Pen
Drugs.com · YouTubeOzempic is a game-changer. Here’s how it works.
Vox · YouTubeWhat Ozempic & Weight Loss Drugs Really Do to the Body
Institute of Human Anatomy · YouTubeEndocrinologist shares MUST KNOW tips when starting RYBELSUS
Dr. Akshay Jain · YouTubeOther treatments
Semaglutide
Ozempic® · Wegovy® · Rybelsus®FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic®, Rybelsus®) and for chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction in eligible adults (Wegovy®).
Price after approval
Tirzepatide
Mounjaro® · Zepbound®FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro®) and for chronic weight management and obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity (Zepbound®).
Price after approval
Liraglutide
Victoza® · Saxenda®FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Victoza®) and chronic weight management (Saxenda®); generic versions are now available.
Price after approval
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