Diabetes cases have been steadily increasing worldwide. Metformin has been the gold standard first agent for many people to try first with all the drawbacks patients experience.

There are lots of medicines available for people with diabetes. Some, like insulin, are widely available but also quite expensive. Some are relatively unknown to the general public and known only to experts and physicians.

One, however, is primarily known to the public at large. This diabetes drug is one of the most popular medicines for people with diabetes.

What is Metformin and What Does It Do?

What is metformin HCL?

Metformin hydrochloride or metformin HCL is one of the most common types available in the market. As a diabetes drug, it could be administered to both adults and children for long-term treatment of diabetes. Its generic version is widely available worldwide, making it one of the more accessible diabetes drugs.

Experts estimate that more than 120 million people are taking this to manage and control their diabetes.

Metformin drug class

This diabetes medicine belongs to the anti-diabetes drug class. Specifically, it belongs to drug class biguanides. Biguanides belong to the class called non-sulfonylureas, one class of drugs used for treating diabetes type-2 diabetes and PCOS(polycystic ovarian syndrome).

Non-sulfonylureas like biguanides work by inhibiting the liver from producing too much glucose. It also helps in the body’s insulin response by lowering insulin resistance. Finally, it helps tissues to absorb glucose from the bloodstream.

They are in the form of tablets, however, cannot be used in treating type-1 diabetes. Type-1 diabetes is caused by poor insulin production, and this medication is not intended to address that issue.

Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of this diabetes drug is C4H11N5. It means that it has four molecules of carbon, eleven of hydrogen, and five of nitrogen. It is an organic compound, and organic compounds are vital to the survival of any organism here on earth.

The chemical composition allows for better absorption of glucose in the cells. Glucose itself is an organic compound mostly made of carbon molecules. Nitrogen and hydrogen within help facilitate the transfer of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells and tissues.

The synthesis of those chemicals allows it also to become a diabetic agent. They can lower blood sugar levels in the body. All in all, those things mentioned make it ideal as a treatment for diabetes. Is metformin free of side effects? Definitely no. We will dwell on that later in this article.

What Are the Forms?

It is usually in the form of tablets or pills. They are produced by numerous pharmaceutical companies worldwide. The most common is the regular one, also known as “immediate release.”

The regular ones comes in three doses: 500 mg, 850 mg, and 1000 mg. They are the ones available worldwide and are widely used.

Aside from regular tablets and pills, there is also the “extended-release”, the so-called extended version. As a medication, the “extended-release” is available in 500 mg and needs to be taken only once a day. This can be taken only by adults.

Aside from tablets and pills, there is also a version of liquid. However, all regular forms is available only as tablets and pills. Only the “extended-release” is available as an oral solution.

Who Should Take Metformin?

Those who have diabetes and PCOS can take this drug. In fact, many consider it to be one of the best initial treatments for those who are recently diagnosed with diabetes and/or PCOS.

Some doctors even prescribe this medication to those suffering from prediabetes, which is what they call borderline cases. These are people who, despite changes in lifestyle and eating habits, do not improve and are in danger of suffering from full-blown diabetes.  As diabetic drug it could be prescribed to those people as a preventive measure. At the end of today PCOS, prediabetes and diabetes are connected to each other. They are all related to insulin resistance most of the time

One reason for the popularity of this drug among physicians is that it largely works on metabolic functions. It is unlike other diabetic drugs which induce the pancreas to produce more insulin.

What exactly does it do to the body?

It increases the body’s receptivity to insulin. By doing so, it allows the body to absorb more glucose, without increasing the production of either insulin or glucose.

That is why most doctors prefer this drug. Depending on the need, they will administer doses of 500 mg, 850 mg, or  1000 mg.

The dosage and doses will depend on the doctor’s discretion. It will also depend on how advanced the diabetes is in a particular patient and how much they can tolerate at a time. Overall, however, most doctors usually want to improve insulin sensitivity before prescribing any other diabetes pills. Hence, they prescribe this for most patients first.

Who Should Not Take Metformin?

Those who have not consulted their doctors and have no diabetes should not take this whether in tablets or pills. There is some risk involved, as with most diabetic drugs.

The doctors will eventually know which medicines their patients must take. For our general knowledge, though, as a diabetes drug this is strictly not for those with severe kidney or liver issues. This may cause problems for those health issues, putting the lives of people with diabetes at significant risk.

We mentioned that this is also prescribed to some who have prediabetes. People who have prediabetes but are over 60, however, do not have to take this. Those who are suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis must also not take this drug.

Can Pregnant Women Take Metformin?

Taking this drug during pregnancy is entirely safe unless the pregnant woman has advanced kidney or liver problems. On the other hand, discussing with your Diabetes doctor prior to starting taking this drug is the best.

Actually, this helps patients who have PCOS become pregnant and maintain healthy blood sugar levels during pregnancy as well.

How Should this Drug be Taken?

This is taken orally. The dosage, of course, will depend upon the patient’s need and the doctor’s orders. Usually, tablets are administered once, twice, or even three times a day.

One who has diabetes can have a dosage as high as 2000 mg per day. Meaning they have to take the diabetic drug  1000 mg twice a day. Others, however, are usually administered 1000 mg, taking the 500 mg twice a day. Starting the dose low and gradually increasing the dose help tolerate this significantly. Also taking this after meals lowers the side effects.

Important reminder: do not double up your intake if you ever missed or skip your dosage. It will cause some side effects like an upset stomach.