Metformin: learn about side effects, dosage, special precautions, and more on MedlinePlus Metformin Brand names: Axpinet, Diagemet, Glucient, Glucophage, Metabet Find out how metformin treats type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome, and how to take it. Get detailed information about Metformin including uses, side effects, alternatives, and more. Get the facts on metformin’s dosages. You can also learn how to take the drug, which forms it comes in, and more. 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 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. 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 an oral diabetes medicine used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin-containing medicines are available by prescription only and are used along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Metformin commonly causes side effects like nausea, diarrhea and bloating, but there are more serious side effects, too. An endocrine clinical pharmacist explains what they are and how to avoid them.