Metformin is prescribed for adults, and children age 10 and older.
If your GP is prescribing metformin, tell them if you:
- have any medical conditions
- had an allergic reaction to medicine in the past
- are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or are breastfeeding
- drink a lot of alcohol
- have long-lasting or severe diarrhoea or vomiting that is causing dehydration
Pregnant and breastfeeding
Tell your GP if you:
- are pregnant
- think you might be pregnant
- are trying to get pregnant
Your GP may need to make changes to your diabetes treatment or blood glucose (sugar) monitoring.
Metformin is not recommended if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed your baby.
Metformin and fertility
There's no evidence to suggest that taking metformin reduces fertility in either men or women.
Metformin is sometimes prescribed 'off label' to try to improve ovulation and fertility if you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
What off label means
Off-label use is when a medicine is prescribed in a way that is different to how it was first licensed.
Your GP may prescribe a medicine off label if they think it will treat your condition effectively.
They prescribe the medicine in a different way than described on the patient information leaflet, such as:
- for a different age group
- to treat another condition
- at a higher or lower dosage
Off-label use does not mean that the medicine is unsafe. Your GP will tell you if they are prescribing the medicine off label. They will only prescribe it if the benefits outweigh any risks.
Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you have any concerns or questions about off-label use.