Metformin (
Glucophage®) is a prescription medicine often used for controlling blood sugar levels in people with
type 2 diabetes. It works by decreasing the amount of sugar made by the liver, limiting the amount of sugar absorbed into the body from your diet, and making
insulin receptors more sensitive (helping the body respond better to its own insulin).
The medication is available in several forms, including a tablet form, two long-acting forms, and a liquid version. It is typically taken one to three times a day, depending on the particular metformin product.
Before your healthcare provider prescribes you metformin medicine for
diabetes, make sure he or she is aware if you have
congestive heart failure, kidney or liver problems, low vitamin B
12 levels, or any
allergies (including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives).
(Click Metformin for more information about the diabetes medicine metformin, including more details on how it works, potential side effects that may occur, and dosing guidelines for this drug.)
