Metformin is an antidiabetic medication, perhaps the most widely used in the world for treating type 2 diabetes. It is not an insulin replacement; patients with type 1 diabetes should not buy metformin.

The medication reduces glucose levels in several ways:

• Inhibits glucose production by the liver;
• Inhibits glucose absorption from food;
• Increases glucose uptake by muscle and fat tissues.

Metformin is also used to treat polycystic ovary syndrome and, less commonly, a range of other ailments.

Managing Diabetes the Easy Way

Metformin may be used on its own or along with other diabetes treatments, such as insulin, if needed. Most patients prefer to buy metformin over other diabetes-managing medications for a number of reasons:

• It is administered orally once or twice daily, no injections are required;
• Patients do not tend to gain weight during treatment, as often happens with insulin;
• The medication is extremely unlikely to produce serious side effects if used properly;
• It is as effective as weight-loss, exercise and dietary changes in overweight patients.
• It is considerably less expensive than most other antidiabetic treatments.

Patients can buy metformin in an oral solution, in a tablet, and as a extended-release tablet, largely depending on personal preference:

• Metformin extended-release pills are typically taken once a day, and must not be crushed, chewed or dissolved.
• Regular tablets are usually taken two times daily, three if taking very large doses.
• Oral solution is taken twice daily.
• All three types should be taken with a meal.

Dosage strength is somewhat variable, depending on if tablets, solution or extended-release tablets are being taken, as well as patient health (particularly kidney function), effectiveness of treatment, and severity of side effects:

• Patients are almost always started on low doses of 500 mg twice per day for one or two weeks.
• Each dose may be increased by 500 mg every two weeks until the most effective dose is found.
• Do not exceed 2550 mg regular tablets in one day, or 2000 mg extended-release tablets or oral solution in one day.

Blood sugar levels should be checked frequently when treatment begins and whenever dosage is adjusted. Treatment, if effective, is typically long-term, often spanning years.

Patients are usually encouraged to make dietary changes and engage in regular exercise to further enhance results.

Warnings & Adverse Effects

As previously mentioned, this product does not supply the body with insulin; patients with type 1 diabetes or those with diabetic ketoacidosis should not buy metformin.

Patients with kidney or liver issues should discuss risks with a doctor before use, as the risk of serious side effects is much greater.

In otherwise healthy patients, dangerous side effects are extremely rare, and almost always because other antidiabetic medications are being taken at the same time; specifically, low blood sugar is a risk when taking multiple glucose-inhibiting medications.

About 50 percent of patients using metformin experience some sort of stomach upset. Though not dangerous, these side effects can be uncomfortable:

• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Gas
• Constipation
• Heartburn
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Metallic taste in mouth

Starting at low doses and gradually increasing every two weeks, as described above, minimizes these side effects. In many cases, they disappear entirely as treatment continues.

If side effects do not recede within a few weeks of starting treatment with regular tablets or oral solution, changing to extended-release tablets may resolve the issue.

Better Health Starts Now

A prescription is not required to buy metformin from Kiwi Drug. Save money and time with the click of a mouse -- have your medication delivered right to your door. We sell only authentic products and we're always here to help if you have any questions!