Diabetes Medication: Metformin

Metformin is a medicine used to treat prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. It helps control your blood sugar. 


It is also used to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome. Metformin works very well and is generally safe.

What are some examples of metformin?


Here are some examples of metformin. For each item in the list, the generic name is first, followed by any brand names.
  • metformin (Glucophage)
  • long-acting metformin (Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet)
  • liquid metformin (Riomet)

Sometimes metformin is combined with other diabetes medicine:
  • Avandamet is a combination of metformin and rosiglitazone
  • Glucovance is a combination of metformin and glyburide
  • Janumet is a combination of metformin and sitagliptin

This is not a complete list.

Understanding Metformin

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQJDjp8vjVk

Click on images to enlarge:







For more information about metformin: