What is Glucophage (metformin) used for?

Glucophage is a prescription oral anti-diabetic medicine that is used to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes mellitus

How does Glucophage (metformin) work?

Glucophage works in several different ways to control blood sugar levels: 

• Glucophage improves insulin sensitivity, i.e., it increases the body’s response to the insulin hormone. By decreasing insulin resistance, the cells in your body can absorb and use sugar more effectively, which, in turn, reduces the amount of sugar in the blood.
• Your body also produces sugar naturally. Glucophage reduces the amount of glucose made by the liver, where most sugar production occurs. 
• Sugar enters your body through food and beverages. Glucophage reduces the amount of glucose absorbed from food through the intestines. As a result, less sugar makes it into the bloodstream. 
  
  By controlling the blood sugar levels, Glucophage helps prevent potentially life-threatening complications of diabetes such as heart disease and stroke.

What is the dosage of Glucophage (metformin)?

Glucophage is available as an immediate-release tablet, extended release tablet and oral suspension (liquid). 

The immediate-release tablet is taken with meals 1-3 times a day. The extended-release form is taken once a day with the evening meal. The available Glucophage doses are 500 mg, 850 mg, and 1000 mg.

Doctors usually prescribe Glucophage 500 mg twice daily by mouth or 850 mg once daily by mouth with meals as a starting dose. 

Do not take more or less Glucophage than prescribed. Your doctor will start you on a low Glucophage dose and slowly increase the dose based on your response to the medicine and tolerability (side effects). The dose may be increased no more often than once every 1-2 weeks. Glucophage’s maximum recommended daily dose is 2550 mg in adults and 2000 mg in pediatric patients (10-16 years), given in divided doses with meals. Doses above 2000 mg are typically better tolerated if the medicine is taken three times a day with meals. You will need to monitor your blood glucose levels carefully to see how well Glucophage is working.