There are five available metformin strengths: 500 mg, 625 mg, 750 mg, 850 mg, and 1000 mg tablets. A long-acting form of the medication (
metformin ER) is also available; it comes in two strengths, 500 mg and 750 mg tablets.
For regular metformin, the recommended starting dosage for children ages 10 to 16 is 500 mg twice daily. The usual starting dose for people 17 years old and over is 500 mg twice daily or 850 mg once daily. For the long-acting form, the starting dose is metformin ER 500 mg once daily, and the maximum dose is metformin ER 2550 mg once daily.
(Click Metformin Dosing to find out how dosing works for people who also take insulin and for more information on when and how to take this medication.)
