Metformin is used alone or with other medications, including insulin, to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Metformin is in a class of drugs called biguanides. Metformin helps to control the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. Find patient medical information for Metformin (Glucophage, Glumetza, and others) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings Easy-to-read patient tips for metformin covering how it works, benefits, risks, and best practices. Metformin [met-FORE-min] is a medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Metformin is taken orally (by mouth) as a pill. Like other diabetes medications, it works best when you follow the rest of your treatment plan. This means checking your blood glucose regularly, following your meal plan, and exercising every day. Metformin, sold under the brand name Glucophage, among others, is the main first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, [13][14][15][16] particularly in people who are overweight. [14] It is also used in the treatment of polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, [15] and is sometimes used as an off-label adjunct to lessen the risk of metabolic syndrome in people who take. Using metformin alone, with a type of oral antidiabetic medicine called a sulfonylurea, or with insulin, will help to lower blood sugar when it is too high and help restore the way you use food to make energy. Many people can control type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise. Metformin is an oral diabetes medicine used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Millions take metformin every day to manage type 2 diabetes. The NHS has now issued a clear warning about symptoms that should never be ignored. Here is what the medicine is used for, common side effects, and the serious signs that mean you should contact a doctor or seek urgent help., Health & Wellness News, Health and Me Metformin is a common treatment for diabetes. But it can cause digestive problems and other side effects. Learn more about the uses and side effects here. Learn about side effects, how it's taken, and more of metformin. It's a generic prescription drug that's used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults and some children with type 2 diabetes.