Summary 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. Metformin is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes by helping control blood glucose levels. It's also sometimes used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and may help with weight management. Metformin has long been used as a low-cost, daily prescription medication for treating Type 2 diabetes and high levels of insulin resistance. It belongs to a class of diabetes medications known as biguanides. It comes in immediate or extended-release formulations. However, when comparing metformin to intensive diet or exercise, moderate-quality evidence was found that metformin did not reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes and very low-quality evidence was found that adding metformin to intensive diet or exercise did not show any advantage or disadvantage in reducing risk of type 2 diabetes when. Metformin is used to treat high blood sugar levels that are caused by a type of diabetes mellitus or sugar diabetes called type 2 diabetes. With this type of diabetes, insulin produced by the pancreas is not able to get sugar into the cells of the body where it can work properly. Metformin is a commonly recommended initial medication for patients with type 2 diabetes who have mild to moderately uncontrolled blood glucose. In addition, it is sometimes used to prevent diabetes in patients who are at risk of developing the disease (though it is not FDA approved for prediabetes). Metformin is an FDA-approved antidiabetic agent that manages high blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients. It reduces glucose absorption from the intestines, lowers liver glucose production, and improves insulin sensitivity. Metformin is a generic prescription medication used to help manage blood sugar levels in adults and some children with type 2 diabetes. It works by decreasing sugar production in the liver. 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). Overview: Metformin is medicine you take to help keep your blood sugar from getting too high. Common side effects may include stomach problems, such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain.