10 things you need to know about Metformin

1. Metformin is a medicine which is commonly used in diabetes mellitus (type 2).

2. Metformin is also prescribed in treating polycystic ovary syndrome.

3. Metformin decreases glucose prodution in the liver (hepatic gluconeogenesis) and increases utilisation of glucose at the peripheral tissues such as skeletal muscle and fat cells (adipocytes). Thereby reduces the amount of glucose present in the blood.

4. Metformin is the drug of first choice in overweight patients in whom strict dieting has failed to control diabetes.

5. Metformin usually does not reduces blood sugar level than normal range. (low risk of Hypoglycaemia)

6. It does not exert a hypoglycaemic action in non-diabetic subjects unless given in overdose.

7. Poor appetite (anorexia), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain / fullness are initially common with metformin.

8. Along with Metformin, usaully those patients are given vitamin B complex supplements as Metformin decreases vitamin-B12 absorption.

9. Metformin can be used in pregnancy for both those who already having diabetes and those who newly have during pregnancy (gestational diabetes).

10. Metformin may be used during breast-feeding.
Dr. Yapa Wijeratne

Recent Articles

using blogs as a portfolio

Using blogs as a portfolio

Blogs are a great way of expressing one�s self.

But co...

5 Common causes for childhood convulsions

Child getting convulsion is a one instance where parents often get panic. Yes, it can indicates a...

Are you at risk of not getting air to your lungs during sleep?

For normal function of your body regardless of the sleep, your cells need oxygenated blood. That ...

Why we need to add 5 vegetables & fruits for daily meal?

Adding more than 400g of vegetables & fruits per day to your meals, reduces the risk of cance...

When can I walk after a heart attack?

A heart attack or myocardial infarction is one of a leading killer of both men and women in the S...

Dr Rikaz Sheriff

MBBS PGCert MSc
Director, Western Hospital

Rikaz Sheriff is responsible for all aspects of innovation and strategy of health informatics solutions of LankaDoctor. Rikaz joined UniverSL Software after working for 5 years as a Senior Medical Officer at Western Hospital where he leads the business development unit with responsibility for marketing strategy, brand management, advertising, and consumer promotions.

He also serves as the chief coordinator for their kidney transplant programme. Rikaz is a life member of the Sri Lanka Medical Association and the Health Informatics Society of Sri Lanka. Rikaz holds a MBBS degree from Baqai University (Pakistan) and a Master's degree in Biomedical Informatics from the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo. He also works as the Provincial Health Informatician for the Department of Health Services, Western Province.

Dr. Yapa Wijeratne
MBBS University of Perdeniya.
Medical Officer, Mawanella Hospital.

Yapa entered Faculty of Medicine in 2008, following a successful career at the Dharmaraja College, Kandy. While continuing his undergraduate career, he joined UniverSL Software. He completed his MBBS degree from University of Peradeniya & worked as a Temporary lecturer at Department of Basic sciences, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya. After completing his internship, he is still working at Teaching Hospital Peradeniya.