metformin

noun

met·​for·​min met-ˈfȯr-mən 

: a drug used in the form of its hydrochloride C₄H₁₁N₅·HCl especially to treat type 2 diabetes

Examples of metformin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Key Takeaways For people with type 2 diabetes, berberine lowers blood sugar as effectively as standard diabetes medication Glucophage (metformin). —Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 14 Jan. 2026

Additionally, medications like metformin and GLP-1s can also be very helpful. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Dec. 2025

Compared to adults, where there are 13 classes of drugs approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes, options for children previously included insulins, metformin, and several injectable drugs like liraglutide, exenatide and dulaglutide, says Chanapa Tantibanchachai, M.S., a spokesperson for the FDA. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 21 Nov. 2025

But when metformin was added, those gains shrank. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

methyl + -formin (as in phenformin, an earlier antidiabetic drug)

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for metformin

• longshoreman
• longshoremen
• corpsman
• foreman
• foremen
• mormon
• warman

Medical Definition

metformin

noun

met·​for·​min met-ˈfȯr-mən 

: an antidiabetic drug used in the form of its hydrochloride C₄H₁₁N₅·HCl especially to treat type 2 diabetes in patients unresponsive to or intolerant of approved sulfonylurea drugs

Note: Trademarks for preparations containing metformin include Glucophage, Glucovance, Invokamet, Janumet, Jentadueto, and Kombiglyze.