Metformin

Prescription medicineOnly Available By Prescription
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Strength
850mg
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Strength
500mg
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Strength
850mg
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1000mg
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What if I find a lower price with another pharmacy?

We guarantee the lowest price on all of our prescription products. If you find your medications cheaper at any other recognized licensed mail order pharmacy, we will not only match their price, we will beat it by 25% of the difference. It is our 125% price match guarantee!

Example: If you find a product on Canada Drugs Direct for $50.00 and find the same product for $40.00 at another mail order pharmacy, we will provide you with a $12.50 discount, bringing your total to $37.50.

To get the discount please make sure to mention the price match to the customer service team when they call to collect payment for your order. Or call toll free at 1-888-904-8467 to place the order through the phone.

Terms & Conditions of Program

  • Guaranteed lowest price is only valid at the time of sale.
  • We will only match the current advertised price.
  • Products must be identical and in stock at the time of placing an order with a licensed mail order pharmacy. They must be an online Canadian pharmacy with an address in Canada.
  • Products must be authentic in brand and size (same manufacturer, same country of manufacture, same pack size, same strength and same quantity).
  • Products must be new. We cannot match the price of any used, short expiry or expired product.
  • Price match can only be issued over the phone with our customer service team. Please note at this time we cannot offer price matching for the products Ozempic or Saxenda.
What is a Generic Drug?

A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, consumption method, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug and works in the same way and in the same amount of time in the body.

The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (eg. different shape or color), as trademarks laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.

Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to develop a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.

Description

Chemical Name: METFORMIN (met-FOR-min)

Metformin is a TABLET.

Metformin is used to stabilise the levels of glucose in the body in patients that suffer from diabetes mellitus. Metformin is a biguanide, which prevents the production of glucose in the liver. It is a relatively old drug since it has been on the market for more than 60 years, but it is still one of the most commonly prescribed hypoglycaemic agent. Metformin 500mg is preferred due to its efficacy, good safety profile and low cost. Both medications are the first-line treatment for Type 2 diabetes.

Metformin works by reducing intestinal absorption of sugar, improving the peripheral uptake of sugar, decreasing the fasting level of insulin, increasing insulin sensitivity of body tissues, and decreasing glucose production by the liver. Thus, Metformin results in a reduction in the HBa1C levels and decreases the incidence of diabetes complications.

Metformin 500mg is prescribed to control glucose levels and decrease complications related to diabetes. Excess sugar in the blood can lead to serious health complications effecting multiple organ systems such as blood vessels, the heart, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. In the United States, diabetes is the leading cause of renal failure, amputation and blindness. Tight control of hyperglycaemia is key to prevent such complications. There is no cure for diabetes, but fortunately the condition is very manageable with proper treatment and lifestyle modifications. Metformin generic is prescribed as an adjunct to proper exercise and diet, it may be prescribed alone or possibly in combination with other hypoglyceaimic medications.

You can purchase Metformin 500mg (metformin generic) from many online retailers with a prescription from your health care practitioner. Before you purchase your medication online, be sure you are buying from licensed pharmacy like Canada Drugs Direct.

Beyond glycemic control, Metformin has other properties such as the reduction of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, improvement in endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress thus reducing the cardiovascular risk.

Studies also encourage the clinical use of Metformin in gestational diabetes, HIV associated diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), nephrotoxicity prevention, and cancer protection.

Directions

The dose of Metformin 500mg will differ from patient to patient. Physicians may start treatment with one tablet of Metformin 500mg, after which the dose may be slowly increased to two tablets of Metformin 500mg three times a day. The maximum recommended dose of Metformin is 3g daily taken in three divided doses, (6 tablets of Metformin 500mg daily). Metformin 500mg is to be taken orally in divided doses at the same time of day, during or after a meal and with plenty of water.

Follow the instructions carefully given by your doctor, as well as on the prescription pamphlet. The dose may be increased or decreased depending on the level of glucose control. Over time, a combination of medication may be required if the optimal glucose level is not achieved. If optimal glucose control is still not achieved with oral medications, insulin treatment is usually considered.

Ingredients

Each Metformin 500mg tablet contains:

Active Ingredients:

  • Metformin hydrochloride

Inactive Ingredients:

  • Povidone
  • Magnesium stearate
  • Hypromellose
  • Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose
  • Microcrystalline cellulose

Fact Table

Formula

C4H11N5

License

EU EMA, US FDA

Bioavailability

50-60%

Legal status

RX Only

Chemical Name

Metformin

Elimination half-life

4-8.7 hours

Dosage (Strength)

1% (30 grams), 2.5% (50 grams)

Pregnancy

Consult a doctor

Brands

Metformin, Metformin XR, Fortamet, Glumetza, Riomet

Protein binding

Minimal

PubChem CID

4091

MedlinePlus

a696005

ChEBI

6801

ATC code

A10BA02, A10BD23, A10BD02, A10BD18, A10BD11, A10BD25, A10BD22, A10BD14, A10BD16, A10BD17, A10BD05, A10BD15, A10BD07, A10BD10, A10BD13, A10BD20, A10BD08, A10BD03

DrugBank

DB00331

KEGG

D04966

Routes of administration

By mouth

Cautions

Metformin is widely distributed in the body and excreted unchanged in urine. Metformin is contraindicated in patients with chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, acute myocardial infarction, hypersensitivity to metformin or any excipients, and for patients with acute metabolic acidosis.

Metformin is safe in pregnancy and is indicated as treatment of gestational diabetes and in patients with PCOS since metformin reduces the risk of preterm labour and early pregnancy loss. Metformin 500mg can increase fertility since it impacts the menstrual cycles. Metformin may also pass into breastmilk. Alcohol consumption while consuming Metformin 500mg may increase the risk of developing low blood sugar and lactic acidosis.

Side Effects

Metformin 500mg is well tolerated for most people. The most common adverse reactions are related to gastrointestinal upset such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. Doctors usually prescribe a low dose and increase gradually to improve gastric tolerability. Taking the Metformin following meals also helps to reduce gastrointestinal upset stomachs. Metformin does not cause hypoglycaemia or weight gain.

Other undesirable side effects of Metformin are:

  • Urticaria
  • Reduction in Vit B12 absorption
  • Decreased liver function
  • Taste disturbance
  • Decreased renal function
  • Ketoacidosis

A potential severe complication with Metformin 500mg is lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is a rare side effect but could potentially be fatal. Lactic acidosis occurs due to a build-up of Metformin in the body. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include dizziness, tiredness, chills, blue/cold skin, and a slow/irregular heartbeat.

References

  1. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database. Metformin, CID=4091, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Metformin (accessed on Aug. 25, 2019)
  1. Rojas LB, Gomes MB. Metformin: an old but still the best treatment for type 2 diabetes. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2013;5(1):6. Published 2013 Feb 15.
  1. Sanchez-Rangel EInzucchi SE. Metformin: clinical use in type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia. 2017 Sep;60(9):1586-1593.
  1. Wang YW, He SJ, Feng X, et al. Metformin: a review of its potential indications. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2017;11:2421-2429. Published 2017 Aug 22. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S141675
  1. Nickerson HD, Dutta S, Diabetic Complications: Current Challenges and Opportunities. J Cardiovasc Transl Res. 2012 Aug; 5(4): 375-379. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3396342/
  1. Reusch JEB. Diabetes, microvascular complications, and cardiovascular complications: what is it about glucose? J Clin Invest. 2003;112(7):986-988 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC198532/
  1. Nasri H, Rafieian-Kopaei M. Metformin: Current knowledge. J Res Med Sci. 2014;19(7):658-664.
  1. Wang YW, He SJ, Feng X, et al. Metformin: a review of its potential indications. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2017;11:2421-2429. Published 2017 Aug 22.
  1. EMC. SmPC of Metformin 500mg tablets.
  1. American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2019 Abridged for Primary Care Providers. Clin Diabetes.2019 Jan;37(1):11-34. https://clinical.diabetesjournals.org/content/37/1/11
  1. Gong L, Goswami S, Giacomini KM, Altman RB, Klein TE. Metformin pathways: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Pharmacogenet Genomics. 2012;22(11):820-827.
  1. Tahrani AA, Varughese GI, Scarpello JH, Hanna FW. Metformin, heart failure, and lactic acidosis: is metformin absolutely contraindicated?. BMJ. 2007;335(7618):508-512
  2. Davoren P. Safe prescribing of metformin in diabetes. Aust Prescr 2014;37:2-5.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.

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