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What Is Glucophage?

Glucophage is a brand name for immediate-release metformin, a medicine for type 2 diabetes. It helps improve blood sugar control alongside diet and exercise. The brand-name tablets have been discontinued in the U.S., but generic immediate-release metformin remains available.

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What Is Glucophage?

Glucophage is a brand name for immediate-release metformin, a medicine for type 2 diabetes. It helps improve blood sugar control alongside diet and exercise. The brand-name tablets have been discontinued in the U.S., but generic immediate-release metformin remains available.

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What Is Glucophage Used For?

Glucophage was prescribed for adults and children with type 2 diabetes. Metformin can be used alone or with other diabetes medicines when prescribed. Blood sugar tests help the care team assess the response to treatment.

How Does Glucophage Work?

Metformin reduces the amount of glucose the liver releases into the blood. It also helps the body respond to insulin and use glucose. These actions lower blood sugar without directly stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin.

How Is Glucophage Taken?

Immediate-release metformin tablets are taken with meals to reduce stomach upset. The prescriber selects the dose and can raise it gradually based on blood sugar and tolerability. Follow the directions for the exact metformin formulation dispensed, since extended-release tablets have different instructions.

What Are the Risks of Glucophage?

Diarrhea, nausea, and stomach discomfort can occur, particularly when treatment begins. Metformin can lower vitamin B12 levels and, rarely, cause serious lactic acidosis. Kidney function is checked before and during treatment, and the medicine may need to be paused for certain contrast imaging procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions About Glucophage

Is Glucophage the same as metformin?

Glucophage was a brand name for immediate-release metformin. Generic metformin contains the same active ingredient.

Should immediate-release metformin be taken with food?

Yes. Taking it with meals can reduce digestive side effects.

Does Glucophage usually cause low blood sugar by itself?

Metformin alone has a low risk of causing low blood sugar. The risk can increase when it is combined with insulin or certain other diabetes medicines.

Why are kidney tests needed with metformin?

The kidneys clear metformin from the body. Reduced kidney function can increase the risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis.

References

Metformin. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a696005.html. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

Metformin. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518983/. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

Metformin (Glucophage): Type 2 Diabetes. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/20966-metformin-tablets. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

Metformin (oral route) - Side effects & dosage. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/metformin-oral-route/description/drg-20067074. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.

METFORMIN HYDROCHLORIDE- metformin hydrochloride tablet tablet. DailyMed (National Library of Medicine). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8cd5555c-f6b2-28d8-e053-2a95a90a5f1e. Date Accessed October 6, 2026.