Metformin Tablets

Order Metformin Diabetes Tablets Online

You can order metformin online from our UK registered online doctor and pharmacy service. You will need to complete an online medical questionnaire for our doctors to assess. This allows our doctors to make sure it is safe and suitable to prescribe for you. 

Once approved, a prescription will be issued and sent to our pharmacy team. From here, the medicine is dispatched to your address. Only patients already prescribed metformin from their GP are able to order it from our online doctor service.

What is metformin?

Metformin is a medicine used in the treatment of type-2 diabetes. It can also be used to treat a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 

It is usually the first treatment used in type 2 diabetes if diet and exercise have not been effective at reducing blood sugar levels. It is not used to treat type 1 diabetes. It is only available on prescription.

How does it work?

A hormone called insulin has an important function in the body. It is produced by the pancreas and it moves glucose from the blood into the cells of the body. In type 2 diabetes, your pancreas may not produce enough insulin or your body may become less sensitive to insulin. This means more glucose stays in the blood instead of moving into cells, causing a rise in blood sugar levels.

Metformin works by reducing the amount of glucose produced by your liver. This causes a decrease in the amount of sugar in the blood. It may also increase the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin, which also causes blood glucose levels to drop.

By reducing blood sugar levels, metformin helps to lower the risk of experiencing diabetes symptoms and complications. Complications of type 2 diabetes can include stroke, heart disease, vision loss, kidney problems, and nerve damage.

Dose

Metformin is available as standard tablets and modified-release tablets. It can also be prescribed in liquid form. Standard release tablets are available in strengths of 500mg and 850mg. Modified release tablets are available in 500mg, 750mg, and 1000mg strengths.

For the standard release tablets, the maximum dose is usually 2000mg per day. When starting standard release tablets, the dose is usually gradually increased every week. This helps to reduce the likelihood of stomach side effects like nausea. Standard release tablets can be taken up to 3 times a day.

Modified release tablets are usually taken once or sometimes twice daily. The starting dose is low and may then be gradually increased.

Metformin tablets are usually taken with meals to reduce stomach side effects. You should take your tablets exactly as your doctor has told you to. Most people have to take metformin long term.

Alternatives

Many medicines exist to treat type 2 diabetes because it is an increasingly common disease. Metformin is usually used as the first-line treatment but others can be used if it is not suitable for a patient. If a patient’s blood sugar stays too high when taking metformin, doctors will often prescribe other medicines to take alongside it. 

Examples of other type 2 diabetes medicines include:

• Gliclazide
• Pioglitazone
• Saxagliptin
• Sitagliptin
• Canagliflozin
• Dapagliflozin
• Insulin

Insulin may be prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes that is not controlled with a combination of other medicines.

What is metformin used for?

Metformin is a medicine used in the treatment of type-2 diabetes if diet and exercise have not been effective at reducing blood sugar levels. It can also be used to treat a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 

What does metformin do exactly?

Metformin helps to reduce blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. It does this by reducing the amount of glucose produced by your liver. This causes a decrease in the amount of sugar in the blood. It may also increase the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin, which also causes blood glucose levels to drop.

High blood sugar levels increase the risk of experiencing diabetes symptoms and complications. Complications of type 2 diabetes can include heart disease, vision loss, stroke, nerve damage, and kidney problems. By lowering your blood sugar levels, metformin reduces your risk of developing the above complications. 

What are the most common side effects of metformin?

The most common side effects of metformin are stomach side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain. It can also cause changes to your taste.

Can metformin cause weight loss?

Metformin has been associated with weight loss in diabetic patients. Losing weight if you are overweight can improve your blood sugar levels.

Can I buy metformin online?

Yes, metformin can be ordered online from Simple Online Pharmacy. We ask that you complete a medical assessment online as part of your order. This can then be reviewed by our doctors to make sure it is suitable to prescribe for you. From there, our pharmacy team will dispense your medicine and dispatch it to your address.

Only patients already prescribed metformin from their GP are able to order it from our online doctor service. In the UK, you cannot buy Metformin over the counter.

Any medicine you take has a risk of side effects. Some side effects are more common than others. If you find you have side effects with metformin you should mention these to your doctor or pharmacist. 

Common metformin side effects include:

• Nausea and vomiting 
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach pain
• A metallic taste in the mouth or changes to taste

Stomach side effects, like nausea, are more common at the start of treatment. When starting metformin, most people are given a low dose that is gradually increased. This helps to reduce the risk of these side effects happening.
It can have rare but serious side effects such as lactic acidosis and allergic reactions (signs include trouble breathing). For further information on side effects see the patient information leaflet or call your doctor or pharmacist.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

• Metformin 500mg PIL
• Metformin 850mg PIL

Other conditions and metformin

Metformin is not suitable for everyone to take. Examples of people who should not take metformin include people:

• With liver problems
• With severe kidney problems
• Who are dehydrated (e.g from repeated diarrhoea or vomiting)
• With an allergy to metformin or any of the ingredients in the tablets 

For a full list of other conditions affected by metformin, see the patient information leaflet.

Interactions with other medicines

A number of medicines may interact with metformin. Drug interactions may cause side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medicines. Examples of interacting medicines are diuretics (e.g furosemide), steroid tablets (e.g prednisolone), and other medicines used to treat diabetes.
For further information see section 2 of the patient information leaflet. Not all interacting medicines need to be stopped when taking metformin but it may mean your doctor has to monitor you regularly. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure about how metformin may affect your other medication.