Description 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. Using metformin alone, with a type of oral antidiabetic medicine called a sulfonylurea, or with insulin. 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. It decreases the amount of glucose you absorb from. 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. Comprehensive overview of metformin's role, benefits, and considerations in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults. Easy-to-read patient tips for metformin covering how it works, benefits, risks, and best practices. 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. 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. Learn how metformin treats type 2 diabetes, including dosage, side effects, warnings, and its off-label use for weight loss and PCOS. Reviewed drug info Who? 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). On average, most patients find that […] 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.