Metformin

Diabetes medicine (biguanide)
PRESCRIPTION ONLY IN INDIA

Metformin is a diabetes medicine (biguanide) found in 95 medicines sold in India, such as Glycomet 500, Glyciphage 500, Obimet 500. Below: what it is for, how it works, how to take it, side effects, interactions and pregnancy advice.

What it is used for

Lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, mainly by reducing sugar made by the liver.

How it works

The usual first medicine for type 2 diabetes. It lowers the amount of sugar the liver releases and helps the body respond to insulin. On its own it rarely causes low blood sugar and does not cause weight gain.

How to take it

Take with or just after meals to reduce stomach upset; start low (500 mg) and increase slowly. Slow-release tablets are gentler. Keep taking it unless your doctor says to stop.

Common side effects

  • Diarrhoea
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Metallic taste
  • Reduced appetite

Get medical help straight away if

  • Severe vomiting, fast breathing, muscle pain and unusual drowsiness (rare lactic acidosis)
  • Tingling feet or tiredness after years of use (low vitamin B12)

Be careful

Take with food; can cause stomach upset. Stop before scans with contrast or surgery if told.

Other medicines and interactions

Doctors pause it before scans with iodine contrast and before major surgery, and during dehydrating illness (vomiting, diarrhoea). Heavy alcohol raises lactic acidosis risk.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Sometimes continued in pregnancy under specialist care; insulin is often used. Considered acceptable while breastfeeding.

Brands of Metformin (17)

Bigomet 500Forson 500Gluconorm 500Gluformin 500Glyciphage 500Glycomet 1 gGlycomet 250Glycomet 500Glycomet 850Glycomet SR 500Melmet 500Metatime 500Obimet 500Okamet 500Walaphage 500Xmet 500Zomet 500

Combination medicines that contain Metformin (78)

Abvida M 50/1000Afoglip M 1000Alsita-M 50Amaryl M 1Amaryl M 2Azulix 1 MFDiapride M 1Dynaglipt-M ForteEmsita-M 50/500Galvus Met 50/1000Galvus Met 50/500Gemer 1Gemer 2Geminor M1Glador M1Glimestar-M 1Glimestar-M 2Glimisave-M 1Glimisave-M 2Glimy MGliptagreat M 1000Glizid-MGluconorm-G 1Gluconorm-G 2Glucoryl-M1Gluformin G 1Glura M 500Glyciphage-G 1Glycomet Trio 2/0.3Glycomet-GP 0.5Glycomet-GP 1Glycomet-GP 2Increglip M 50/500Inogla-M 1000Istamet 50/1000Istamet 50/500Jalra-M 50/1000Jalra-M 50/500Janumet 50/1000Janumet 50/500Lupisit-M 500Metsmall VX 1000Olymprix M 1000Oxramet XR 10/500Siaglide M 50/500Sitacip M 50/500Sitapride M 50/500Sitara-M 50/500Sitared-M 50/500Sitaxa M 50/500Sitazit-M 50/500Stalix M 50/500T Glip-M 1000Tendia M ForteTenebite M 20/1000Tenelichoice-M 1000Tenepride M 1000Tenglyn M 1000Tenlimac M 1000Torglip M 50/1000Trajenta Duo 2.5/1000Trajenta Duo 2.5/500Verifica M 50/1000 Tablet15'sVildamac M 50/1000Vildapride M 50/1000Vinglyn M 1000Vylda-M 1000Vysov-M 50/1000Xigduo XR 10/500Zavamet 1000Zita Met Plus 20/1000Zita-Met 20/500Ziten-M 1000/20Zomelis Met 50/1000Zomelis Met 50/500Zoryl-M 1Zoryl-M 2Zukanorm M 1000

Common questions

What is Metformin used for?

Lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, mainly by reducing sugar made by the liver.

How does Metformin work?

The usual first medicine for type 2 diabetes. It lowers the amount of sugar the liver releases and helps the body respond to insulin. On its own it rarely causes low blood sugar and does not cause weight gain.

How should I take Metformin?

Take with or just after meals to reduce stomach upset; start low (500 mg) and increase slowly. Slow-release tablets are gentler. Keep taking it unless your doctor says to stop.

What are the side effects of Metformin?

Common: Diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pain, metallic taste, reduced appetite. Get help straight away for: Severe vomiting, fast breathing, muscle pain and unusual drowsiness (rare lactic acidosis), tingling feet or tiredness after years of use (low vitamin B12).

Does Metformin interact with other medicines?

Doctors pause it before scans with iodine contrast and before major surgery, and during dehydrating illness (vomiting, diarrhoea). Heavy alcohol raises lactic acidosis risk.

Is Metformin safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Sometimes continued in pregnancy under specialist care; insulin is often used. Considered acceptable while breastfeeding.

Does Metformin need a prescription in India?

Yes. In India it is a prescription (Schedule H) medicine, so a pharmacist should sell it only with a doctor's prescription.

Which brands contain Metformin?

Abvida M 50/1000, Afoglip M 1000, Alsita-M 50, Amaryl M 1, Amaryl M 2, Azulix 1 MF, Bigomet 500, Diapride M 1, Dynaglipt-M Forte, Emsita-M 50/500, Forson 500, Galvus Met 50/1000, Galvus Met 50/500, Gemer 1, Gemer 2, Geminor M1, Glador M1, Glimestar-M 1, Glimestar-M 2, Glimisave-M 1, Glimisave-M 2, Glimy M, Gliptagreat M 1000, Glizid-M, Gluconorm 500 and 70 more.

Sources and further reading

NHS (UK National Health Service) and MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) are free, reviewed medicine guides. Brand names and doses there may differ from India.

Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu from standard prescribing information.

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For information only, not medical advice. This page is a plain-language summary written from standard prescribing information and the public guides linked below. Brands sometimes change their formula, so always check the composition printed on the pack. Doses here are typical adult doses; yours may differ. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without your doctor or pharmacist, and keep all medicines away from children. In an emergency, call 112 (India) or your local emergency number.