Metformin is one of the most common drugs to treat type 2 diabetes. Doctors can also prescribe it to people at high risk of developing the condition.
The medication helps balance your blood sugar levels by improving how insulin works, reducing the amount of sugar the liver makes, and lowering how much sugar the intestines absorb.
As with other medications to treat chronic conditions, metformin may take time to work and might not be suitable for everybody.
Knowing the signs that metformin is and isn’t working can help you feel confident in the management of your condition.
Need a refill for metformin (Glumetza)? You may be able to get an online prescription through Optum Perks in as little as 15 minutes. Learn more here.
Signs metformin is working
Metformin is a generic drug that is also available in brand-name versions, including Fortamet and Glumetza. It’s commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes.
The main sign that metformin is working is that your blood sugar levels will be lower. You can determine this by frequently checking your levels using a home test kit.
You’ll also find that your A1C levels become stable. A1C refers to the amount of hemoglobin that has glucose attached to it. (Hemoglobin is a substance that helps deliver oxygen through the bloodstream to various parts of the body.) To check your A1C levels, you can take an A1C test, also known as the HbA1c test.
As a result, you should stop feeling symptoms of high blood sugar, also referred to as hyperglycemia. This can mean:
- feeling more energetic because your body is using insulin more effectively
- having to pee less often
- not feeling as thirsty or hungry as before
Signs metformin isn’t working
The main sign that metformin isn’t working is your blood sugar levels aren’t getting lower. In addition, you may have high A1C levels.
As a result, you might continue to experience hyperglycemia. Symptoms of this condition include:
- frequent peeing
- fatigue and tiredness
- increased thirst and hunger
- blurry vision
If you keep experiencing these symptoms while taking metformin, talk with a healthcare professional. They may consider switching medications or suggest other ways to manage blood sugar levels, including lifestyle measures.
How long does it take for metformin to work?
How long it takes to see results from metformin depends on the person and the medication form. Metformin comes in the following versions:
- immediate release (oral tablet, oral solution)
- extended release (oral tablet)
The immediate-release form will start to work faster than the extended-release form. (“Immediate release” means the drug is released into your body right away. “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.)
Metformin usually takes around 3 hours to get to work after taking it. But this doesn’t mean you’ll notice its effects right away. Some people can start to experience results very quickly, while a 2006 study suggests that most notice a change within 1 week of treatment, regardless of the type of metformin.
However, if you don’t notice a decrease in your blood sugar levels or improvement in your symptoms, your doctor may increase your metformin dosage.
Metformin alternatives
Metformin may not be suitable for everyone. Doctors do not usually recommend it to people with heart, liver, or kidney failure. It’s also not recommended for people who are allergic to metformin. But some of these people may use it with caution if a doctor decides the benefits outweigh the risks.
Metformin can also cause side effects that some people may not tolerate, such as:
- constipation
- diarrhea
- bloating
- chest pain
- rash
Note that Metformin has a boxed warning for the risk of lactic acidosis. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more information, see this article.
There are other medications and lifestyle measures that can help treat type 2 diabetes. Medications include:
- DPP-4 inhibitors, such as:
- alogliptin (Nesina)
- sitagliptin (Januvia)
- GLP-1 and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists, such as semaglutide (Ozempic)
- SGLT2 inhibitors, such as:
- sulfonylureas, such as:
- thiazolidinediones (TZDs), such as pioglitazone (Actos)
- insulin, such as insulin lispro (Humalog) and insulin aspart (Novolog)
Taking medications is one of the ways to manage blood sugar levels when you have diabetes. But just as important is practicing certain lifestyle measures that can help manage diabetes symptoms and benefit overall health. These include:
- maintaining a moderate weight
- exercising regularly, about 150 minutes of physical activity a week
- eating a balanced diet that’s low in refined carbs
- reducing stress
- avoiding smoking and alcohol, if applicable
If your doctor prescribes metformin, they’ll also recommend that you follow a balanced diet and get regular exercise as part of your treatment plan. They can advise you on how to make lifestyle changes like the ones listed above to help manage your condition.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
Free prescription coupons
Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.
Get free cardSummary
Metformin is one of the most common medications to treat type 2 diabetes. Available under the brand names Fortamet and Glumetza, it helps lower blood sugar levels by improving the efficiency of insulin, decreasing the amount of glucose the liver produces, and reducing the amount of sugar the intestines absorb.
The main sign of metformin working is lower blood sugar levels. You can monitor this by testing your levels regularly and being aware of the symptoms of higher blood sugar. Metformin is working when you notice a reduction in hunger, thirst, and urination frequency. This usually takes about 1 week.
But metformin may not be suitable for everyone, such as people with heart, liver, or kidney failure and those who are allergic to the drug. Other medications are available to help lower blood sugar levels.
Lifestyle measures are also important to help manage diabetes. This can involve taking regular exercise and following a balanced diet.
Talk with a healthcare professional if metformin doesn’t seem to be lowering your blood sugar levels or if it’s causing side effects that are difficult to manage. A doctor may be able to prescribe alternative medications.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.