Metformin

Metformin is a medication used to treat diabetes. It's part of a group of medicines known as biguanides, which work by preventing your liver from producing glucose. This helps manage your blood sugar levels and makes your body more sensitive to the insulin your pancreas naturally produces.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where your blood sugar level becomes too high. This can happen if your body doesn't produce enough insulin or if it can't use insulin properly due to insulin resistance.

Metformin is a tablet you take two or three times a day to help manage your blood sugar, as advised by your clinician. It comes in various doses and is sold under different brand and generic names, such as Glucophage, Diagemet, and Sukkarto, among others.

Metformin helps reduce your blood sugar levels in several ways. It's called an 'insulin sensitiser' because it doesn't boost insulin production; instead, it improves how insulin works to lower your blood sugar. This means your body can respond to insulin more efficiently.

Metformin also helps lower glucose production in the liver by reducing gluconeogenesis, the process that turns sugar into glucose. It achieves this by blocking important enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis.

Metformin comes in two strengths: 500mg and 850mg. The difference between them is the amount of metformin hydrochloride in each tablet. Our clinician will determine the right dose for you based on your medical history.

If your kidneys aren't working properly, they will probably begin your treatment with a lower dose. Metformin also comes in an extended-release (ER) version. Although both versions have the same active ingredient, they are taken differently.

There are different types of diabetes treatments available that work in ways other than Metformin. Metformin, which is a biguanide, helps by preventing the liver from making glucose and also makes the body more sensitive to insulin, improving its effectiveness.

Ozempic (semaglutide) and Victoza (liraglutide) are other treatments for diabetes that fall under a different group of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). These drugs function by imitating the action of GLP-1 hormones, which play a role in controlling blood sugar levels.

If Metformin isn't working effectively for you, there are many other treatment options you can consider.

Additionally, there are several other medicines that combine metformin with other active ingredients, like Janumet (which includes Metformin and Sitagliptin) and Competact (which contains Metformin and Pioglitazone). These combination medicines can offer a more thorough way to manage diabetes. For instance, in Janumet, Sitagliptin helps stimulate the release of insulin.

Metformin helps to lower the amount of glucose produced by the liver, which can improve overall blood sugar control.

Metformin isn't the sole treatment that contains metformin hydrochloride as its active ingredient. Alternatives like Sukkarto, Glucophage, and Diagemet have similar formulations. The main differences lie in their cost, packaging, and specific formulations. Generally, their effectiveness should be quite similar, with variations mainly in dosages.

Our clinician can advise you on the most suitable dose of Metformin for you. They'll determine this by considering your medical history and any other medications you're using to manage your type 2 diabetes. Be sure to follow the clinician's instructions when taking your prescribed medications.