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

Another study showed that a combination of the drug metformin and kefir decreased fasting blood sugar and HbA1c. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 6 May 2025

Besides lowering blood sugar, metformin reduces viral load and pro-inflammatory molecules that contribute to clotting. —Judy Stone, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

When a stricter diet and exercise regimen didn’t move the needle, Dr. Shah prescribed metformin. —Mohana Ravindranath, New York Times, 1 May 2025

And both metformin and the GLP-1 and SGLT-2 medications can have gastrointestinal or genitourinary side effects. —The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 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.