Metformin

metformin

Metformin is a commonly used medicine for people with type 2 diabetes that helps lower blood sugar. It works mainly by reducing the amount of sugar your liver releases and by helping your body use insulin more effectively. Because it is taken by millions of people worldwide, doctors know a lot about how it works and its typical side effects, which often include mild stomach upset. A rare but serious complication called lactic acidosis can occur in people with certain medical problems, so doctors monitor who should take it. Metformin is usually inexpensive and comes in pill form, making it an accessible option for many patients. Beyond diabetes care, researchers are studying whether metformin might help protect against other age-related problems because it affects basic cell metabolism. That interest comes from observations in lab studies and some human data suggesting it may influence processes linked to aging. People are cautiously optimistic but scientists are still testing whether these broader effects are real and clinically meaningful. If future studies confirm extra benefits, metformin could play a role in keeping people healthier as they get older. Until then, it remains an important, evidence-based treatment for blood sugar control in diabetes.