Short Description

Glucophage (generic name: metformin; brand names include: Phage / Riomet / Fortamet / Glumetza / Obimet / Dianben / Diabex / Diaformin) is a medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.

It is the most popular anti-diabetic drug in the United States and one of the most prescribed drugs in the country overall, with nearly 35 million prescriptions filled in 2006 for generic metformin alone.

Glucophage lowers blood glucose by helping your body make better use of the insulin produced by your pancreas.

Glucophage is indicated for:

Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, particularly in overweight patients, when dietary management and exercise alone does not result in adequate glycaemic control.

It is also used in combination therapy in insulin dependent diabetes especially if overweight.

When prescribed appropriately, Glucophage causes few adverse effects and, unlike many other anti-diabetic drugs, does not cause hypoglycemia if used alone.

Glucophage is the only anti-diabetic drug that has been proven to protect against the cardiovascular complications of diabetes. It also does not cause weight gain, and may indeed produce minor weight loss. Glucophage also modestly reduces LDL and triglyceride levels.

Glucophage is non-addictive.

As of 2008, Glucophage (Metformin) is one of only two oral anti-diabetics in the World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines.

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