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Metformin

Diabetex, Glucophage, Meglucon, Metformin · ATC code A10BA02

Brand names: Diabetex, Glucophage, Meglucon, Juformin, Metfoliquid Geriasan, Metforminhydrochlorid Al, Metforminhydrochlorid Juta, Siofor, Atamet, Diabest, Diaformin, Diamet, Diormin, Glifor, Glimeton …

Key facts
Active substance
Metformin
Drug class
Biguanide
ATC code
A10BA02
Authorisation
authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of
2026-10-27

Boxed warning

Postmarketing cases of metformin-associated lactic acidosis have resulted in death, hypothermia, hypotension, and resistant bradyarrhythmias. The onset of metformin-associated lactic acidosis is often subtle, accompanied only by nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, myalgias, respiratory distress, somnolence, and abdominal pain. Metformin-associated lactic acidosis was characterized by elevated blood lactate levels (> 5 mmol/Liter), anion gap acidosis (without evidence of ketonuria or ketonemia), an increased lactate/pyruvate ratio; and metformin plasma levels generally > 5 mcg/mL [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] .

Risk factors for metformin-associated lactic acidosis include renal impairment, concomitant use of certain drugs (e.g. carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as topiramate), age 65 years old or greater, having a radiological study with contrast, surgery and other procedures, hypoxic states (e.g., acute congestive heart failure), excessive alcohol intake, and hepatic impairment.

Steps to reduce the risk of and manage metformin-associated lactic acidosis in these high risk groups are provided [see Dosage and Administration (2.3), Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] .

If metformin-associated lactic acidosis is suspected, immediately discontinue metformin hydrochloride tablets and institute general supportive measures in a hospital setting. Prompt hemodialysis is recommended [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] .

Key facts

Metformin is an oral antidiabetic of the biguanide class. Per the US label it is used as an adjunct to diet and exercise in type 2 diabetes.

What it is used for

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults and children 10 years of age and older, as an adjunct to diet and exercise

Dosing

  • Adults: start 500 mg twice a day or 850 mg once a day with meals
  • Increase by 500 mg weekly or 850 mg every 2 weeks up to a maximum of 2,550 mg per day in divided doses
  • Children 10 years and older: start 500 mg twice a day, maximum 2,000 mg per day
  • Assess renal function before and periodically; initiation at eGFR 30–45 mL/min/1.73 m² not recommended; stop if eGFR falls below 30
  • Stop at or before iodinated contrast imaging with eGFR 30–60 mL/min/1.73 m² (or liver disease, alcoholism, heart failure); re-check eGFR after 48 hours

Contraindications

  • Severe renal impairment (eGFR below 30 mL/min/1.73 m²)
  • Hypersensitivity to metformin
  • Acute or chronic metabolic acidosis, including diabetic ketoacidosis

Important warnings

  • Boxed warning: lactic acidosis, including fatal cases; risk factors include renal impairment, age 65 or older, contrast studies, surgery, hypoxic states, excessive alcohol, hepatic impairment
  • If suspected, discontinue immediately, give supportive care in hospital; prompt haemodialysis is recommended
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency
  • Hypoglycaemia when combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues

Side effects

  • Most common: diarrhoea (53%), nausea/vomiting (26%), flatulence (12%)
  • Asthenia, indigestion, abdominal discomfort, headache
  • Serious: lactic acidosis (postmarketing cases)

Interactions

  • Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g. topiramate, zonisamide, acetazolamide): increased lactic acidosis risk
  • Drugs that reduce metformin clearance, and alcohol: see full text

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Limited data show no clear association with major birth defects or miscarriage; poorly controlled diabetes carries risks for mother and fetus

Summary of the official product information, written with AI (Claude, Anthropic) on 2026-10-28. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

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For patients

Patient information (US)

Patient information (US) →

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Austria

  • DiabetexGermania Pharmazeutika Gesellschaft M.B.H. · 1 register entry
  • GlucophageMerck Gesellschaft Mbh · 1 register entry
  • MegluconSandoz Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • Metformin1a Pharma Gmbh, Teva B.V, Genericon Pharma Gesellschaft M.B.H., Bluefish Pharmaceuticals Ab, Accord Healthcare B.V., Hexal Pharma Gmbh · 6 register entries

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28

Germany

  • GlucophageMerck Healthcare Germany Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • JuforminJuta Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • Metfoliquid GeriasanInfectopharm Arzneimittel Und Consilium Gmbh, De, Heppenheim · 1 register entry
  • MetforminAaa-Pharma Gmbh, 1 A Pharma Gmbh, C4 Health Gmbh, Winthrop Arzneimittel Gmbh, Ratiopharm Gmbh, Puren Pharma Gmbh & Co. Kg, Activase Pharmaceuticals Limited, Heumann Pharma Gmbh & Co. Generica Kg, Zentiva Pharma Gmbh, Hexal Ag, Stada Arzneimittel Ag, Stadapharm Gmbh, Dexcel Pharma Gmbh, Denk Pharma Gmbh & Co. Kg, Ipca Productos Farmaceuticos Unipessoal Lda, Aliud Pharma Gmbh, Abz-Pharma Gmbh · 20 register entries
  • Metforminhydrochlorid AlAliud Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • Metforminhydrochlorid JutaJuta Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • SioforBerlin-Chemie Ag, Laboratori Guidotti S.P.A. · 3 register entries

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28

Turkey

  • AtametATABAY KİMYA SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 9 register entries
  • DiabestABDİ İBRAHİM İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
  • DiaforminALİ RAİF İLAÇ SAN. A.Ş. · 8 register entries
  • DiametGENSENTA İLAÇ SANAYİ VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
  • DiorminADVANCE İLAÇ A.Ş. · 6 register entries
  • GliforBİLİM İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 10 register entries
  • GlimetonRECORDATİ İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
  • GlinextTAKEDA İLAÇ SAĞLIK SAN. TİC. LTD. ŞTİ. · 3 register entries
  • GlisusGENVEON İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
  • GlucotardKOÇAK FARMA İLAÇ VE KİMYA SAN. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
  • GluforceBİOFARMA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
  • GluforminAKSU FARMA TIBBİ ÜRÜNLER İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. LTD. ŞTİ. · 1 register entry
Show all 22 brand names
  • GlukofenSANDOZ İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
  • InsuforWORLD MEDICINE İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 14 register entries
  • MatofinSANOVEL İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 9 register entries
  • Mefoday MRCELTİS İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • MerneptaADİLNA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • MetaformalAPİANA ÖZEL SAĞLIK MEDİKAL GIDA TEKSTİL ELEKTRİK DEKORASYON KOZMETİK İTH. İHR. SAN. VE TİC. LTD. ŞTİ. · 2 register entries
  • MetforixVEFA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
  • MetfullVİTALİS İLAÇ SAN. TİC. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • MetodelİLKO İLAÇ SAN.VE TİC. A.Ş. · 4 register entries
  • MetvelHÜSNÜ ARSAN İLAÇLARI A.Ş. · 6 register entries

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

Brand names in 27 more European countries
Belgium
Metformax, Metformin Activase, Metformin Eg, Metformin Hydrochlorid Eg (Eurogenerics), Metformin Hydrochloride Eg (Eurogenerics), Metformine Hudrochloride Eg (Eurogenerics), Metformine Huydrochloride Eg (Eurogenerics), Metformine Hydrochloride Eg (Eurogenerics), Metformine Sandoz, Metformine Viatris
Bulgaria
Meglucon Xr, Бротмин, Глюкофаж, Инсуфор, Метфогамма Metfogamma, Метфодиаб, Метфокон, Метформин, Метфостада Xr, Неоформин, Сиофор, Софамет
Croatia
Aglurab, Belformin, Glucophage, Gluformin, Meglucon, Metformin Alkaloid, Siofor, Zexitor
Cyprus
Brotmin, Glucophage, Glyformin, Metformin Accord, Metformin Medochemie, Metformin Synto, Retaform
Czechia
Brotmin, Glucomet, Glucophage, Metfogamma, Metformin Accord, Metformin Medreg, Metformin Sandoz, Metformin Teva, Metformin Viatris, Metformin Vitabalans, Metformin-Xr Teva, Mulado Prolong, Siofor, Stadamet, Xuvelex, Zexitor
Denmark
Forminet, Lyomet, Metformin "sandoz", Metformin Accord, Metformin Actavis, Metformin Aurobindo, Metformin Bluefish, Metformin Hydrochloride Activase Pharmaceuticals, Metformin Medical Valley, Metformin Orifarm, Metformin Pharmconsul, Metformin Stada, Metformin Strides, Metformin Teva, Metformin Vitabalans, Metformin Zentiva, Mitforgen
Estonia
Brotmin, Diabufor Xr, Metfogamma, Metforal, Metformin Ratiopharm, Metformin Sandoz, Metformin Teva, Metformin Vitabalans, Metformin Zentiva, Metfromin Accord, Premet
Finland
Forminet, Glucophage, Lyomet, Metforem, Metformin Accord, Metformin Medical Valley, Metformin Ratiopharm, Metformin Stada, Metformin Viatris, Metformin Vitabalans, Metformin Zentiva, Oramet
France
Glimezit, Glucophage, Metformine Accord, Metformine Almus, Metformine Arrow Lab, Metformine Bgr, Metformine Biogaran, Metformine Cristers, Metformine Eg, Metformine Evolugen, Metformine Pharmconsul, Metformine Sandoz, Metformine Teva, Metformine Viatris, Metformine Zentiva, Metformine Zydus
Greece
Glucoformin, Glucofree, Glucophage, Glucoplus, Glucostop, Glycofren, Lycis, Metformin Hydrochloride Rosemont, Retaform, Sukontrol
Hungary
Adimet, Lyomet Xr, Meforal, Meformin Fairmed, Merckformin, Metfogamma, Metformin Actavis, Metformin Fairmed, Metformin Sandoz, Metformin Stada, Metformin Teva, Metformin Viatris, Metformin Vitabalans, Stadamet, Xuvelex Xr, Zenofor
Iceland
Forminet, Glucophage, Metformin Actavis, Metformin Bluefish, Metformin Eql, Metformin Sandoz, Metformin Teva B.V.
Ireland
Glucophage, Metformin Accord, Metformin Activase, Metformin Aurobindo, Metformin Bluefish, Metformin Hydrochloride Metformin, Metformin Hydrochloride Taw Pharma (Ireland), Metformin Pinewood, Metformin Teva
Italy
Glucophage, Izumis, Keymet, Metfonorm, Metforal, Metforalmille, Metformina Accord, Metformina Accordpharma, Metformina Almus, Metformina Alter, Metformina Aurobindo, Metformina Doc, Metformina Eg, Metformina Hexal, Metformina Mylan Generics, Metformina Pensa, Metformina Pharmacare, Metformina Pharmconsul, Metformina Sandoz, Metformina Teva, Slowmet, Zuglimet
Latvia
Brotmin, Glucient Sr, Glucophage, Metfogamma, Metforal, Metformin Accord, Metformin Aurobindo, Metformin Ratiopharm, Metformin Vitabalans, Metformin Zentiva
Lithuania
Brotmin, Metfogamma, Metforal, Metformin Hydrochloride Accord, Metformin Hydrochloride Zentiva, Metformin Ingen Pharma, Metformin Worwag, Tivulin
Luxembourg
Glucophage, Metformax, Metformin
Malta
Brotmin, Glyformin, Metforal, Metformin, Sophamet, Zexitor
Netherlands
Glucient Sr, Glycofren, Metformin Activase, Metformine Hcl, Metformine Hydrochloride Aurobindo, Metformine Hydrochloride Inventia
Norway
Forminet, Glucophage, Metformin Medical Valley, Metformin Orifarm, Metformin Pharmconsul, Metformin Sandoz, Metformin Teva B.V., Metformin Vitabalans, Metformin Zentiva
Poland
Abmetfina Xr, Avamina, Diabufor Xr, Etform, Formetic, Glucophage, Iruka, Lyomet Sr, Meladine Sr, Metformax, Metformin Bluefish, Metformin Hydrochloride Sandoz, Metformin Hydrochloride Stada, Metformin Hydrochloride Teva, Metformin Medreg, Metformin Vitabalans, Metformini Hydrochloridum Lnventla Healthcare B.V., Normoton, Ranmet Xr, Siofor, Symformin Xr, Valimar, Xuvelex Xr, Zenofor
Portugal
Allmet, Glucophage, Metformina, Risidon, Siofor Xr
Romania
Brotmin, Glucophage, Meguan, Metfogamma, Metformin Accord, Metformin Arena, Metformin Aurobindo, Metformin Gemax Pharma, Metformin Terapia, Siofor, Xuvelex Xr, Zenofor
Slovakia
Glucophage, Metfogamma, Metformin Fairmed, Metformin Medreg, Metformin Sandoz, Metformin Stada, Metformin Viatris, Metformin Vitabalans, Metformin Xr Teva, Mirovian, Siofor, Stadamet, Xuvelex Xr
Slovenia
Aglurab, Glucophage, Metfogamma, Metformin Alkaloid-Int, Metformin Lek, Metformin Vitabalans, Metforminijev Klorid Lek, Mikubrel Sr, Siofor
Spain
Brotmin, Dianben, Metformina Activase, Metformina Adair, Metformina Almus Pharma, Metformina Alter, Metformina Aurovitas, Metformina Bluefish, Metformina Cinfa, Metformina Cinfamed, Metformina Galenicum Health, Metformina Kern Pharma, Metformina Normon, Metformina Pensa, Metformina Pharma Combix, Metformina Pharmconsul, Metformina Sandoz, Metformina Stadafarma, Metformina Tarbis, Metformina Teva, Metformina Tevagen, Metformina Uxa, Metformina Viatris, Metformina Vir
Sweden
Forminet, Glucophage, Metformin Accord, Metformin Actavis, Metformin Activase, Metformin Aurobindo, Metformin Bluefish, Metformin Eql, Metformin Medical Valley, Metformin Orifarm, Metformin Pharmconsul, Metformin Sandoz, Metformin Stada, Metformin Teva, Metformin Vitabalans, Metformin Zentiva, Metformine Activase, Mitforgen

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

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Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Metformin Hydrochloride (Mullan Pharmaceutical Inc.) – Prescribing Information, 2025-10-28. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-27. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=082b4de9-e452-fe71-e063-6394a90ac863
  2. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  3. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  4. TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
  5. Wikidata (CC0): ATC A10BA.

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-27 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.