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Metformin

Antidiabeticprescriptionoral · inferred

First-line antidiabetic that activates AMPK and reduces hepatic glucose production. Not metabolized; excreted unchanged renally. Plasma half-life ~5h but erythrocyte half-life ~23h.

Projected serum levels — 500 mg, twice daily

Metformin
Metformin modeled serum levels, 500 mg twice daily over 15 days Population-based pharmacokinetic estimate. Steady state reached after approximately 1 days. 0 125 250 375 500 Day 0 Day 4 Day 7 Day 11 Day 15 Time on a regular schedule ≈ steady state · day 1
Metformin modeled serum levels with a loading dose of 705 mg, then 500 mg twice daily The first dose is larger so levels approach steady state faster. 0 125 250 375 500 Day 0 Day 4 Day 7 Day 11 Day 15 Time on a regular schedule

Maintenance schedule: 500 mg twice daily (oral).

Loading schedule: 705 mg on day 1, then 500 mg twice daily — reaching therapeutic levels sooner.

Modeled steady state after ~1 days: peak ≈ 293 mg, trough ≈ 110 mg body load. Population-based estimate over 15 days for a 500 mg dose at a 70 kg reference body mass — the interactive app scales curves to your doses, timing, and body mass.

Key facts

Category
Antidiabetic
Route modeled
Oral
Model confidence
inferred
Half-life
6.2 h
Common dose
500 mg
Suggested maximum
2.5k mg/day
Reference dose range
250–2.5k mg (single dose)
Suggested cadence
twice daily
Validated against
500 mg oral — Cmax 1.0 mg/L at 2.5 h

Documented interactions

  • warning
    Berberine + Metformin Potentiation

    Berberine and metformin both lower blood glucose via similar mechanisms (AMPK activation). Combined use can cause hypoglycemia.

  • warning
    Ethanol (Alcohol) + Metformin Potentiation

    Alcohol inhibits gluconeogenesis and increases lactate production. Combined with metformin (which also inhibits hepatic lactate clearance), risk of lactic acidosis is elevated.

  • warning
    Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) + Metformin Depletion

    Metformin reduces B12 absorption by up to 30% through interference with calcium-dependent ileal uptake.

  • caution
    Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) + Metformin Potentiation

    Alpha-lipoic acid enhances insulin sensitivity. Combined with metformin, may increase hypoglycemia risk.

  • caution
    Black Seed Oil (Nigella sativa / Thymoquinone) + Metformin Potentiation

    Thymoquinone in black seed oil has glucose-lowering properties. Combined with metformin, may increase hypoglycemia risk.

  • caution
    Chromium (Picolinate) + Metformin Potentiation

    Chromium enhances insulin sensitivity. Combined with metformin, may cause hypoglycemia.

Serum checks 18 modeled interaction pairings for metformin across your whole stack — absorption conflicts, enzyme inhibition, and nutrient depletion included.

Research behind this entry

  1. Effect of intensive blood-glucose control with metformin on complications in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 34) UK Prospective Diabetes Study Group · Lancet, 1998 DOI

    Landmark UKPDS trial of 1,704 overweight diabetic patients found metformin reduced diabetes-related death by 42% and all-cause mortality by 36% compared to conventional treatment.

  2. Metformin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes: a review Rena G et al. · Annals of Internal Medicine, 2017 DOI

    Comprehensive review of metformin mechanisms including AMPK activation, mitochondrial complex I inhibition, and emerging evidence for anti-aging and anti-cancer properties.

  3. Can people with type 2 diabetes live longer than those without? A comparison of mortality in people initiated with metformin or sulphonylurea monotherapy and matched, non-diabetic controls Bannister CA et al. · Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 2014 DOI

    Observational study of 180,000 people found metformin-treated diabetic patients had 15% lower all-cause mortality than matched non-diabetic controls, suggesting longevity benefits.

3 published studies referenced in the app, each with a plain-language summary.