What is Metformin Tablet used for?
- Type 2 diabetes management (blood sugar control)
- Pre-diabetes prevention (insulin resistance mein)
- PCOS — polycystic ovary syndrome (off-label)
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Metformin Tablet: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects in Pakistan
Metformin Tablet (Metformin Hydrochloride) ke quick uses, dose guide, side effects, warnings, aur buying price range.
Compiled by the PakVita Editorial Team · AI-assisted drafting with editorial review · Sourced from DRAP, WHO, BNF · Last updated:
Form
TABLET
Strength
500mg, 850mg, 1000mg
Manufacturer
Multiple — Sami Pharmaceuticals, Star Laboratories, Don Valley Pharma
Estimated price
Rs. 30 - 182
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How to take Metformin Tablet?
Adult dose: 500mg twice daily with meals. Max 2500mg/day. Titrate slowly to minimise GI side effects.
Child dose: Not recommended under 10 years. 10+ years: as prescribed by paediatrician.
Read full Dosage guide →Common side effects
- Nausea, vomiting — start with low dose and take with food
- Diarrhoea, stomach cramps (especially when starting)
- Metallic taste in mouth
Important warnings
- Stop before any CT/MRI contrast scan — lactic acidosis risk
- Avoid in severe kidney disease (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m²)
- Avoid in severe liver disease or excessive alcohol use
Metformin Tablet Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Price in Pakistan
1. Quick Info (Mukhtasir Maloomat)
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand Names | Neodipar, Glucophage, Metformina, Metfor |
| Generic Name | Metformin Hydrochloride |
| Strength | 500mg, 850mg, 1000mg |
| Form | Tablet (immediate-release & extended-release/XR) |
| Drug Class | Biguanide Antidiabetic |
| Manufacturer | Sami Pharma, Star Labs, Don Valley, Sanofi (Glucophage) |
| Prescription | Rx — doctor ke baghair na lein |
| Price | Rs. 30–182 (50 tablets, brand-dependent) |
| Packaging | 10, 30, 50, 100 tablets strips/bottles |
2. What is Metformin? (Metformin kya hai)
Metformin Pakistan aur duniya bhar mein Type 2 diabetes ke liye sabse zyada prescribed first-line oral medicine hai. Yeh biguanide class se taallug rakhti hai aur DRAP-registered hai. WHO Essential Medicines List mein shamil hai.
Metformin ka mechanism:
- Liver mein glucose production rokti hai (gluconeogenesis inhibit karti hai)
- Insulin sensitivity barhati hai — cells glucose zyada effectively use karte hain
- Intestines se glucose absorption thodi kam karti hai
Yeh insulin release nahi karti — isliye akele lene par hypoglycaemia (blood sugar gir jana) ka risk nahi hota.
3. Uses (Fayde / Kis kaam aati hai)
- Type 2 Diabetes — first-line treatment. Diet aur exercise ke baad pehla medicine step.
- Pre-Diabetes — insulin resistance mein prescribed, diabetes rokne ke liye
- PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) — insulin resistance manage karne aur cycle regularise karne ke liye (off-label)
- Gestational Diabetes — doctor supervision mein
4. Who Should Take (Kis ko leni chahiye)
- Newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes patients (HbA1c 6.5%+)
- Pre-diabetes mein high-risk patients (with lifestyle changes)
- PCOS patients jahan insulin resistance confirmed ho
5. When NOT to Take (Kab nahi leni chahiye)
- Severe kidney disease — eGFR < 30 mL/min: avoid. eGFR 30–45: caution, dose reduce.
- CT scan / MRI with contrast — procedure se 48 hours pehle band karein, baad mein bhi 48 hours wait karein
- Severe liver disease
- Heavy alcohol use (lactic acidosis risk)
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) — foran IV insulin zaroori
6. Dosage (Kitni leni hai)
Standard Dosing Schedule
| Phase | Dose | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Starting dose | 500mg once daily | Dinner ke sath |
| Week 2 onwards | 500mg twice daily | Breakfast + Dinner ke sath |
| Usual maintenance | 500mg–850mg twice daily | Meals ke sath |
| Max dose | 2500mg/day | 2–3 divided doses |
Tip: Dose slowly barhana GI side effects ko dramatically kam karta hai. Extended-release (XR/SR) version stomach pe zyada gentle hai.
Missed Dose (Dose Bhool Jayein)
Yaad aane par le lein — lekin agar agli dose ka waqt qareeb ho to skip karein. Double dose nahi.
Overdose
Lactic acidosis ka risk — foran emergency se rabta karein.
7. How to Take (Kaise leni hai)
- Hamesha khane ke sath ya foran baad lein — nausea/diarrhea dramatically kam ho jate hain
- Khali pait bilkul nahi
- Pani ke sath puri tablet nigal lein — kuchalna ya todna nahi (XR version especially)
8. Side Effects (Nuksanat)
Common (starting mein, aksar theek ho jate hain)
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhea, stomach cramps
- Metallic taste
- Loss of appetite (aksar helpful for weight)
Serious (rare)
- Lactic acidosis — nadir lekin serious: saans phoolna, muscle pain, stomach dard, weakness, hath pair thande — foran emergency
- Vitamin B12 deficiency — long-term users mein; doctor se B12 level check karwayein saal mein ek baar
9. Drug Interactions (Dawaon ke sath reaction)
| Medicine | Effect |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Lactic acidosis risk barhata hai |
| Iodinated contrast (CT/MRI) | Temporary kidney stress — metformin hold karein |
| Diuretics (furosemide) | Dehydration → lactic acidosis risk |
| Other antidiabetics | Hypoglycaemia ka combined risk |
| Cimetidine | Metformin levels barhata hai |
10. Storage (Hifazat)
- 30°C se neeche, dry jagah
- Original packaging mein rakhein
- Bachon ki pahunch se door
11. Alternatives in Pakistan
| Brand | Manufacturer | Generic |
|---|---|---|
| Neodipar 500mg | Sami Pharmaceuticals | Metformin HCl |
| Glucophage 500mg | Sanofi | Metformin HCl |
| Metformina 500mg | Don Valley Pharma | Metformin HCl |
| Metfor 500mg | Star Laboratories | Metformin HCl |
12. Price in Pakistan (Price kitni hai)
| Pack | Price (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Metformina 500mg (50 tabs) | Rs. 30–65 |
| Neodipar 500mg (30 tabs) | Rs. 85–120 |
| Glucophage 500mg (30 tabs) | Rs. 120–182 |
(Price pharmacy aur city ke hisab se vary kar sakti hai)
13. FAQs (Aksar Poochhe Jane Wale Sawalaat)
Q: Metformin kis kaam aati hai?
A: Type 2 diabetes mein blood sugar control. Liver glucose production rokti hai aur insulin sensitivity barhati hai.
Q: Metformin khane ke sath leni chahiye ya pehle?
A: Hamesha khane ke sath — stomach issues dramatically kam ho jate hain.
Q: Pakistan mein Metformin ki price kitni hai?
A: Generic Metformina 50 tabs Rs. 30–65. Branded Glucophage thodi mehangay Rs. 120–182 (30 tabs).
Q: Metformin se wajan kam hota hai?
A: Weight-neutral ya halki weight loss — weight gain nahi karti unlike sulfonylureas/insulin.
Q: CT scan se pehle Metformin band karna kyun zaroori hai?
A: Contrast dye kidney function temporarily affect karta hai — agar kidneys slow ho jayein to metformin lactic acidosis cause kar sakti hai. 48 hours pehle aur baad mein hold karein.
14. Medical Review (Medical Jaiza)
Reviewed by: PakVita Health Team Last Updated: 2026-04-27
15. Disclaimer (Zaroori Tanbeeh)
Is page ki maloomat sirf awareness ke liye hai. Yeh medical advice nahi hai. Koi bhi dawa lene se pehle apne doctor ya pharmacist se zaroor milein. PakVita kisi bhi nuksaan ki zimmedari nahi leta.
Related medicines
Brand alternatives, same-class options, and other medicines used for the same conditions as Metformin Tablet.
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Sibling medicines in the Diabetes Medicines class.
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Semaglutide
Novo Nordisk Pakistan Ltd.Rs. 12000–16000
Used for the same conditions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Metformin kis kaam aati hai?
Metformin Type 2 diabetes mein blood sugar control karne ke liye use hoti hai. Yeh liver mein glucose production kam karti hai aur insulin sensitivity barhati hai. PCOS mein bhi doctor prescribe karte hain.
Metformin khane ke sath leni chahiye ya pehle?
Hamesha khane ke sath ya khane ke foran baad lein — stomach problems (nausea, diarrhea) bahut kam ho jate hain. Khali pait bilkul nahi.
Pakistan mein Metformin ki price kitni hai?
Metformin 500mg 50 tablets ka price brand ke mutabiq Rs. 30–182 hai. Generic versions (Metformina) sabse sasti hain. Neodipar aur Glucophage branded versions hain.
Metformin se wajan kam hota hai?
Metformin weight-neutral hai ya halka wajan kam karne mein madad kar sakti hai — yeh diabetes medicines ki tarah weight gain nahi karti. Lekin sirf weight loss ke liye prescribed nahi hoti.
Kya Metformin akele blood sugar theek kar sakti hai?
Type 2 diabetes mein Metformin pehla step hai lekin diet, exercise, aur lifestyle changes ke sath milkar hi best results deti hai. Advanced cases mein doosri medicines add hoti hain.
Sources
- DRAP Registered Products Database — Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan
- British National Formulary (BNF) — Metformin — BMJ Group & Pharmaceutical Press
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 23rd ed. (2023) — World Health Organization
- ADA Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes — American Diabetes Association
Medical disclaimer
This page is for educational use only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always confirm diagnosis, dose, and interactions with a qualified doctor or pharmacist before starting or changing any medicine.