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of Consumer Guide, the Editors. "Metformin Overview." 07 March 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/metformin.htm> 17 May 2008.
Metformin Overview
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Metformin is used for the treatment of the form of diabetes mellitus that most commonly appears in adulthood -- known as type 2 or non-insulin-dependent diabetes -- and that cannot be managed by exercise and dietary therapy alone.
Metformin helps to control sugar in the blood by making the body more sensitive to insulin and by reducing the amount of sugar produced by the body. Metformin can be used alone or with other antidiabetic medications (such as sulfonylureas or insulin). In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about this drug, including treatments, side effects, interactions, and warnings. We'll get started with some general information about metformin.
Brand names (manufacturers):
Glucophage (Bristol-Myers Squibb); Glucophage XR (Bristol-Myers Squibb)
Type of drug: Oral antidiabetic
Ingredient: Metformin
Dosage forms: Tablets (500 mg, 850 mg, and 1,000 mg); Tablets, extended release (500 mg)
Storage: Store metformin at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Do not refrigerate or freeze it. Discard any outdated medication.
On the next page, you will learn the proper way to take metformin.
The brand name products mentioned in this publication are trademarks or service marks of their respective companies. The mention of any product in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the respective proprietors of Publications International, Ltd. or HowStuffWorks.com, nor does it constitute an endorsement by any of these companies that their products should be used in the manner described in this publication.
Metformin helps to control sugar in the blood by making the body more sensitive to insulin and by reducing the amount of sugar produced by the body. Metformin can be used alone or with other antidiabetic medications (such as sulfonylureas or insulin). In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about this drug, including treatments, side effects, interactions, and warnings. We'll get started with some general information about metformin.
Brand names (manufacturers):
Glucophage (Bristol-Myers Squibb); Glucophage XR (Bristol-Myers Squibb)
Type of drug: Oral antidiabetic
Ingredient: Metformin
Dosage forms: Tablets (500 mg, 850 mg, and 1,000 mg); Tablets, extended release (500 mg)
Storage: Store metformin at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Do not refrigerate or freeze it. Discard any outdated medication.
On the next page, you will learn the proper way to take metformin.
For more information about diabetes, try the following links:
- To learn more about other medications, visit our Type 2 Diabetes Medications page.
- For more information on diabetes, visit the main Type 2 Diabetes page.
- To find out more about treating diabetes, check out Type 2 Diabetes Treatment main page.
- For additional information on biguanides, the class of drug that metformin bleongs to, read Biguanides.
The brand name products mentioned in this publication are trademarks or service marks of their respective companies. The mention of any product in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by the respective proprietors of Publications International, Ltd. or HowStuffWorks.com, nor does it constitute an endorsement by any of these companies that their products should be used in the manner described in this publication.
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Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:
of Consumer Guide, the Editors. "Metformin Overview." 07 March 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/metformin.htm> 17 May 2008.
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