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

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

The researchers said future studies should explore how to preserve the benefits of both treatments, and the Rutgers team is now testing whether metformin interacts differently with resistance or strength training and whether adjusting dosage or timing could reduce the effect. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025

This can include oral medicines, such as metformin, or injectable medicines, such as Ozempic (semaglutide). —Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 1 Oct. 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.