Metformin, sold most widely as Glucophage, is a biguanide used for first-line type 2 diabetes. This guide covers how it works, what a standard course looks like, and how ShiningRX supplies it to trade buyers and consumers in the USA, UK and Australia.
Key takeaways
- Metformin is a biguanide indicated for first-line type 2 diabetes.
- Typical dosing: 500 mg once or twice daily with food, titrated to 2000 mg/day.
- Onset is glycaemic effect over 1–2 weeks; effect lasts immediate release 8–12 hours; XR 24 hours.
- Most reported side effects are GI upset and other mild, self-limiting reactions.
- Store below 30 °C.
Metformin at a glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drug class | biguanide |
| Common brand | Glucophage |
| Licensed use | first-line type 2 diabetes |
| Available strengths | 500 mg, 850 mg, 1000 mg, XR forms |
| Dosage form | tablet / extended-release tablet |
| Typical onset | glycaemic effect over 1–2 weeks |
| Duration / dosing interval | immediate release 8–12 hours; XR 24 hours |
| Storage | below 30 °C |
How Metformin works
As a biguanide, Metformin acts on the pathway that drives first-line type 2 diabetes. The pharmacological effect is dose-related, which is why prescribers begin at the lowest useful strength and adjust on response rather than starting at the maximum. In practice that means 500 mg once or twice daily with food, titrated to 2000 mg/day
Starting a Metformin course
- 1
Clinical assessment
Confirm the indication for first-line type 2 diabetes, review comorbidities and check the contraindication list before the first dose.
- 2
Initiate at the standard dose
500 mg once or twice daily with food, titrated to 2000 mg/day
- 3
Review at the first checkpoint
Reassess once the expected onset window of glycaemic effect over 1–2 weeks has passed and document tolerability.
- 4
Titrate or switch
If response is partial and tolerance is good, step up within the licensed range; if tolerance is poor, consider Empagliflozin.
Safety profile in brief
Commonly reported effects include GI upset, metallic taste, B12 depletion on long-term use. Metformin should be avoided in eGFR below 30 and acute metabolic acidosis. Any severe, persistent or unexpected reaction warrants stopping the medicine and seeking clinical review.
