Glucophage is metformin, usually the first medicine for type 2 diabetes — and the Glucophage brand name is not on the Australian register. Metformin itself is registered in Australia under other names and is prescription-only. Read what the register status means below, and ask your GP whether metformin suits you. Current prices are in the table above.

What is metformin used for?

"Metformin is a medicine commonly prescribed to help manage type 2 diabetes" (healthdirect — Metformin). It helps the insulin your body makes work well and reduces the glucose your liver releases; most people with type 2 diabetes start with it when diet and exercise are not enough. It is also used for the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome.

How is metformin taken?

While you are eating or just after, which reduces the stomach side effects; it is usually taken more than once a day, at the same times each day (healthdirect — Metformin). Your doctor sets the dose.

What are the side effects?

Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, cramps and bloating are common and generally settle within the first few weeks (healthdirect — Metformin). Lactic acidosis — a build-up of lactic acid in the blood — is very rare but serious: weakness, muscle pain, feeling extremely cold or digestive symptoms that do not stop need a doctor straight away.

Does metformin cause weight gain or hypos?

No weight gain: metformin "doesn't cause weight gain and may help with weight loss", and it is "unlikely to cause abnormally low blood glucose levels" on its own (healthdirect — Metformin). It is not a weight-loss medicine.

Can you drink alcohol with metformin?

Take care: alcohol can affect the control of diabetes and may cause side effects when taking metformin (healthdirect — Metformin).

What does "not on the ARTG" mean?

A search of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods for "Glucophage" returns no results (ARTG search). The TGA states that products not listed in the ARTG "are not approved for supply in Australia, have not been reviewed for safety or quality" (TGA). Metformin under Australian-registered names is available from pharmacies on a prescription. Knowing this, the choice to order is yours; your GP can tell you whether metformin is right for you.

Delivery to Australia

Orders are dispatched from India or Hong Kong, not from an Australian warehouse. Express delivery takes 5–9 days and regular delivery 10–14 days; orders from A$320 ship free. The details are on the delivery page. The other type 2 diabetes medicines are compared in our guide to type 2 diabetes medicines.

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