Starting metformin for type 2 diabetes or prediabetes? Learn why it’s prescribed, how to start safely, what side effects to expect, and how it fits into long-term diabetes care. Metformin should be taken with meals to help reduce stomach or bowel side effects that may occur during the first few weeks of treatment. Swallow the tablet or extended-release tablet whole with a full glass of water. Starting metformin can have side effects on your digestion, menstruation, vision, appetite and more. Learn what to expect from taking this diabetes drug. NHS medicines information on dosage for metformin, how to take it and what to do if you miss a dose or take too much. Learn more about how metformin works, its side effects, and what to expect when taking this medication. Get the facts on metformin’s dosages. You can also learn how to take the drug, which forms it comes in, and more. 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. Metformin is an oral diabetes medicine used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 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. 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.