“Low dose” metformin is usually considered to be 500mg tablets. Most commonly, 500 milligram tablets are prescribed and produced based on the research and evidence of its effectiveness and efficacy at these levels. AJ Garber’s study on metformin concluded, “compared to placebo, 500mg metformin decreased HbA1c 0.6% and 2000 mg decreased HbA1c 2.0%.”
Metformin is in a class of drugs called biguanides. Metformin helps to control the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It decreases the amount of glucose you absorb from your food and the amount of glucose made by your liver. “Low dose” amounts of metformin are often the starting dose, which is a schedule of 500 mg oral tablets (either immediate-release or extended-release).
Key Takeaways
The lowest dosage of oral tablet metformin that can be taken is 250mg. However, most commonly, 500 milligrams are manufactured and sold.
500mg tablets or doses are usually considered “starting” doses for both adults and pediatric patients with Type-2 diabetes looking to lower HbA1c levels.
Those who are seeking the weight loss benefits of metformin and would like to consider “low dose metformin” options would want to consider taking the 500mg tablets.
“Low Dose” Metformin
Low dose metformin would be 500mg to 750mg amounts. The reason for 500mg tablets being most commonly manufactured is purely because of their effectiveness at treating Type-2 diabetes at these milligram levels. And each 500mg tablet is far easier to keep track of the dosing schedule than 250mg tablets. Making it an easier choice for patients to choose from and also increase to higher dosage levels over time.
However, many patients who are seeking low dose options may be looking for the weight loss benefits that come with metformin.
Crushing or Splitting 500mg Tablets
You may crush or split immediate-release metformin tablets. But you should never break, crush, or chew extended-release metformin tablets. This is because breaking, crushing, or chewing the tablets changes the way they work in your body.
By doing this, you can technically decrease the milligram amounts that you’re consuming. However, it’s important to note that even the weight loss side effects (usually considered a benefit to some patients) will not be experienced as dosages lower than 500mg.
250mg Tablet Metformin
250mg tablets of metformin are sold on the market. In some cases, they may be used in pediatric treatment of Type-2 diabetes since it’s easier to control the dosage schedule with meals. In addition, smaller doses over longer time frames have been known to help subside some of the common side effects.
However, 250mg tablets on their own have been deemed as not very effective at both treating Type-2 diabetes and lowering HbA1c as well as experiencing any weight loss side effects (or benefits) the patient may be seeking.
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Sources
Garber AJ, Duncan TG, Goodman AM, Mills DJ, Rohlf JL. Efficacy of metformin in type II diabetes: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-response trial. Diabetes. 1997;46(7):1196-1201. doi:10.1016/s0002-9343(97)00254-4. PMID: 9428832.
Nasri, H., & Rafieian-Kopaei, M. (2014). Metformin: Current knowledge. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 19(7), 658–664. PMCID: PMC4214027, PMID: 25364368.
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