Metformin 250 mg

Category- Allopathy

Medicine Highlights

Metformin Uses

Metformin 250 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the category of antidiabetic drugs and is used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Metformin side effects 

More Common  

1. Abdominal or stomach discomfort  
2. Cough or hoarseness  
3. Decreased appetite  
4. Diarrhea  
5. Fast or shallow breathing  
6. Fever or chills  
7. General feeling of discomfort  
8. Lower back or side pain  
9. Muscle pain or cramping  
10. Painful or difficult urination  
11. Sleepiness 

Less Common 

1. Anxiety 
2. Blurred vision 
3. Chest discomfort 
4. Cold sweats 
5. Coma 
6. Confusion 
7. Cool, pale skin 
8. Depression 
9. Difficult or labored breathing 
10. Dizziness 
11. Fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse 
12. Feeling of warmth 
13. Headache 
14. Increased hunger 
15. Increased sweating 
16. Nausea 
17. Nervousness 
18. Nightmares 
19. Redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest 
20. Seizures 
21. Shakiness 
22. Slurred speech 
23. Tightness in the chest 
24. Unusual tiredness or weakness 

How Metformin works 

Metformin works by acting like a traffic controller for sugar in the body: it tells the liver to slow down making extra sugar, helps muscles open their doors to use sugar more effectively, and reduces how much sugar slips in from the gut after meals. Behind the scenes, it switches on the cell’s energy sensor (AMPK), which puts the body into a “use fuel wisely” mode, lowering sugar production, improving insulin sensitivity, and keeping blood sugar steady without causing dangerous lows.

Safety Measures and Warning 

Pregnancy

Due to a lack of studies on the effects of Metformin on the fetus during pregnancy, its safety is not clearly established. Therefore, if you are pregnant or planning to conceive, inform your doctor.

Breastfeeding

Metformin is generally considered to be safe for breastfeeding. But sometimes it can cause side effects to the baby, like a fall in blood pressure and glucose levels. So, tell your doctor about it.

Kidney and Liver Problems

Patients suffering from kidney and liver problems are more prone to kidney and liver damage, as the drug is made into a less toxic form in the liver and kidney, so consult a doctor before using them.

Metformin Interaction with Food Product 

Alcohol and smoking can simultaneously affect the drug’s action and show an effect on blood glucose levels by affecting the liver and pancreas. It can sometimes increase blood sugar levels and sometimes decrease blood sugar levels.

Metformin Interaction with Other Medicines  

Avoid taking Metformin 250 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:

Metformin Chemical Structure

IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name

N, N-dimethyl imido dicarbonimidic diamide

Intake routine/cycle

Daily dose

Take Metformin exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.

Overdose

It is not recommended to take more than 2250 mg of Metformin per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like extreme drowsiness, confusion, low blood pressure, unconsciousness, sweating, gastric symptoms, and seizures. If overdose effects remain unchanged, take fruit or glucose liquids and sugary foods to minimize the effects and seek immediate medical attention.

Storage

1. Store the medicine at room temperature 
2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture 
3. Keep out of reach of children 

Directions for use 

1. Take Metformin exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day. 
2. Do not stop taking Metformin without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better. 
3. If you forget to take Metformin, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. 

Metformin Summary 

Metformin is a biguanide medicine mainly used for type 2 diabetes and its off-label Indications include treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome; it acts like a traffic cop that slows the liver from making extra sugar, helps muscles use sugar better, and reduces sugar absorption without causing dangerously low sugar. It’s usually taken with meals to ease common stomach side effects like loose stools, nausea, or a metallic taste. Alcohol and some medicines can interact and can cause lactic acidosis, so caution is needed. Food doesn’t block its effect, but meals make it gentler. Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and children. In short, it’s a steady, safe guide for sugar control when used correctly.

FAQ’s

What is the use of metformin 250 mg?

Metformin 250 mg is a medicine belonging to biguanides and used to control blood glucose levels after meals mainly

Which class does Metformin belong to?

Metformin belongs to the class of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors used to treat diabetes and control blood sugar levels.

What is the mechanism of action of the Metformin tablet?

Metformin works by slowing the breakdown of carbohydrates in your gut, so sugar enters your bloodstream more gradually after meals, like easing traffic onto a busy road to prevent a jam. This helps control post-meal sugar spikes without forcing your body to produce more insulin. Though it may cause gas or bloating at first, these effects often settle as your system adjusts.

Can metformin cause weight gain?

Metformin is not usually linked to weight gain; in fact, it often helps with modest weight loss or weight stability by improving insulin sensitivity. Rarely, some people may notice weight gain due to factors like fluid retention, increased appetite, or lifestyle influences.

Reference 

1. Stat Pearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): Stat Pearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. Available from. 
2. Drug Bank. Metformin [Internet]. Edmonton (AB): Drug Bank; [cited 2025 Jul 18]. Available from. 
3. WebMD. Metformin oral [Internet]. New York (NY): WebMD LLC; ©1996–2025 [cited 2025 Jul 18]. Available from. 
4. Drugs.com. Metformin [Internet]. ©1996–2025 [cited 2025 Jul 18]. Available from. 

Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy

Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy affiliated to Andhra University and from his 3rd year of graduation itself he was working as a freelance Medical and Publication writer and having expertise in Systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices he also reviewed more than 100 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, Sage Journals and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in Pub Med, Scopus and Web of Science databases and received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published few systematic, narrative reviews and few chapters of international expertise.