Metformin: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know

When it comes to managing type 2 diabetes, metformin, a first-line oral medication used to lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Also known as Glucophage, it's the most common pill prescribed for diabetes in India and around the world. Unlike some other diabetes drugs, metformin doesn’t make you gain weight or cause low blood sugar on its own. It works by helping your body use insulin better and reducing how much sugar your liver releases into your blood.

It’s not just for diabetes. Doctors now use metformin for insulin resistance, a condition where your body doesn’t respond well to insulin, often leading to prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Many women with PCOS take it to help with irregular periods and fertility. Some studies even show it may help with weight loss in people without diabetes, though it’s not approved for that use in India. It’s also been linked to lower cancer risk in some groups, but that’s still being studied.

Metformin doesn’t fix everything. You still need to eat better, move more, and monitor your blood sugar. It won’t work if you’re not making lifestyle changes. And while it’s generally safe, it can cause stomach upset—especially when you start. Most people get used to it after a few weeks. Rarely, it can cause a serious condition called lactic acidosis, but that’s mostly in people with kidney problems or who drink heavily.

People often ask if metformin is the safest diabetic pill. For most, yes. It’s been used for over 60 years, has low cost, and doesn’t cause low blood sugar like sulfonylureas or insulin. It also has fewer heart risks than some newer drugs. But it’s not perfect. If your kidneys aren’t working well, your doctor may stop it. If you’re sick, dehydrated, or having surgery, you may need to pause it temporarily.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real questions from people living with diabetes in India. How does metformin compare to other pills? Can you take it long-term? What happens if you miss a dose? Why do some people feel nauseous? You’ll also see how metformin fits into bigger topics like full body blood tests, liver health, and even weight-loss drugs like Ozempic—because many people take both. These aren’t theory pieces. They’re answers from people who’ve been there, and doctors who’ve seen the results.