An Overview of Metformin Dosage Information
- How well your diabetes is controlled
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may currently be taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Metformin Dosing for Type 2 Diabetes
For regular (not long-acting) metformin, the dosing varies with age, as follows:
- Age 10 to 16 -- The recommended starting dose is metformin 500 mg twice daily. The maximum dose for people in this age group is metformin 2000 mg total per day, divided into two or three doses.
- Age 17 and over -- The recommended starting dose is metformin 500 mg twice daily or 850 mg once daily. The maximum dose for people in this age group is 2550 mg total daily, divided into two or three doses per day.
For the long-acting form, metformin ER, the starting dose is metformin ER 500 mg once daily, and the maximum dose is metformin ER 2550 mg once daily.
Metformin Dosing With Insulin
The recommended starting dose of both metformin and metformin ER for people taking
insulin is 500 mg once daily. The maximum total daily dose for people taking insulin is 2500 mg for metformin and 2000 mg for metformin ER. Usually, when adding metformin to insulin, you should continue with your normal insulin dose.
