Healthcare providers often recommend
metformin (
Glucophage®), a
diabetes medication, to help reduce blood sugar levels in people with
type 2 diabetes. The drug is available by prescription and comes in several forms, including regular tablets, long-acting tablets, and a liquid.
Regular tablets are available in five different strengths, including:
- Metformin 500 mg tablets
- Metformin 625 mg tablets
- Metformin 750 mg tablets
- Metformin 850 mg tablets
- Metformin 1000 mg tablets.
- Metformin ER 500 mg tablets.
- Metformin ER 750 mg tablets.
For regular metformin, dosing will vary depending on age. The recommended starting dosage for children 10 to 16 years old is 500 mg twice a day. For people ages 17 and older, the usual starting dose is 500 mg twice daily or 850 mg once daily.
For long-acting metformin, the starting dose is metformin ER 500 mg once daily, and the maximum dose is metformin ER 2550 mg once daily.
(Click Metformin Dosing for more information about metformin 750 mg tablets, to find out how dosing is determined for people who are also taking insulin for diabetes, and for suggestions on when and how to use this medication.)
