Metformin 1000 mg (sustained release): uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Type 2 diabetes – lowers blood sugar along with diet and exercise; the 1000 mg SR tablet is for people whose doctor has built the dose up over time; Gestational diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy), under a doctor's supervision.
Listed MRPs range from ₹1.24 to ₹4.36 per tablet across 8 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metformin Hydrochloride Sustained Release Tablets IP 1000 mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 10 | ₹12.38 | ₹1.24 | 19 October 2026 |
| Glycomet 1gm SR | USV Private Limited | 15 | ₹63.46 | ₹4.23 | 19 October 2026 |
| Glyciphage SR 1gm | Franco-Indian Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹43.07 | ₹4.31 | 19 October 2026 |
| Carbophage XR 1000 | Merck Ltd | 10 | ₹43.14 | ₹4.31 | 19 October 2026 |
| Gluformin XL New 1000 | Abbott Healthcare Private Limited | 15 | ₹64.85 | ₹4.32 | 19 October 2026 |
| Cetapin XR 1000 | Sanofi India Ltd | 15 | ₹65.15 | ₹4.34 | 19 October 2026 |
| Gluconorm SR 1gm | Lupin Ltd | 15 | ₹65.20 | ₹4.35 | 19 October 2026 |
| Exermet 1000 SR | Cipla Ltd | 15 | ₹65.35 | ₹4.36 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Type 2 diabetes – lowers blood sugar along with diet and exercise; the 1000 mg SR tablet is for people whose doctor has built the dose up over time.
- Gestational diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy), under a doctor's supervision.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), to help insulin resistance and periods.
- Along with insulin or other diabetes tablets when one medicine is not enough.
How to take it
Take the 1000 mg sustained-release (SR/XR/PR) tablet with food, usually once a day with the evening meal, or as your doctor prescribes. Swallow it whole with water – do not crush, chew or split it, because the slow-release coating is what spreads the dose through the day and keeps stomach upset low. Keep taking it every day; stopping makes blood sugar rise again. If you have vomiting, diarrhoea or fever and cannot drink enough, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether to pause it, because dehydration raises the risk of lactic acidosis.
Side effects
Common
- Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite.
- Diarrhoea and stomach pain – usually settle within a couple of weeks.
- Change in taste (metallic taste).
- Vitamin B12 deficiency with long-term use, which can cause tiredness.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Lactic acidosis (rare) – vomiting, stomach pain, muscle cramps, breathing trouble, severe tiredness; get emergency help.
- Severe allergic reaction – swollen throat or tongue, itchy rash, difficulty breathing.
- Liver inflammation – yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Safety information
Alcohol
Limit alcohol strictly. Heavy drinking with metformin raises the risk of lactic acidosis and low blood sugar.
Pregnancy
Metformin can be used in pregnancy, including for gestational diabetes, but check with your doctor first. It is usually fine while breastfeeding because only tiny amounts pass into milk.
Kidney problems
Metformin may not be suitable if your kidneys are weak. Your doctor will test kidney function before starting and during treatment, and may lower the dose or stop it.
Liver problems
Tell your doctor about liver disease; metformin may not be suitable because of the lactic acidosis risk.
Children
Can be used in children aged 10 and above with type 2 diabetes, under a doctor's care.
Missed dose
Take it with your next meal if you remember soon; if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses together.
Interactions
- Diuretics (water pills) and some blood pressure medicines – can affect kidney function and blood sugar.
- NSAID painkillers such as ibuprofen and diclofenac – can strain the kidneys and raise metformin levels; use with care.
- Insulin, glimepiride and other sugar-lowering drugs – higher chance of low blood sugar when combined.
- Alcohol – raises the risk of lactic acidosis.
- Tell your doctor before any CT scan or angiography with contrast dye – metformin is often paused around the scan.
Frequently asked questions
Glycomet 1gm SR before or after food?
With or just after food, usually with dinner. Taking metformin on an empty stomach causes nausea and loose motions. Swallow the SR tablet whole.
Glycomet 500 SR vs Glycomet 1gm SR – what is the difference?
Both are sustained-release metformin; the 1 gm tablet simply contains double the dose. Doctors move to 1 gm when a lower dose is not controlling sugar. Do not change strength without asking.
Can I take Glycomet 1gm SR with alcohol?
Keep alcohol to a minimum and never binge. Alcohol with metformin increases the risk of low blood sugar and the rare but dangerous lactic acidosis.
Can I break or crush a Glyciphage SR 1gm tablet?
No. SR tablets must be swallowed whole; crushing releases the whole dose at once and causes stomach upset. If the tablet is hard to swallow, ask your doctor about two 500 mg SR tablets instead.
Does metformin cause weight loss?
Metformin does not cause major weight loss, but unlike some diabetes medicines it does not cause weight gain. It should not be taken just for weight loss without a doctor.
Is Glycomet 1gm SR safe in pregnancy?
Metformin can be taken in pregnancy and is used for gestational diabetes, but only under a doctor's supervision. Tell your doctor as soon as you know you are pregnant.
Why do I need kidney and B12 tests on metformin?
Metformin builds up if the kidneys are weak, so kidney function is checked before and during treatment. Long-term use can lower vitamin B12, causing tiredness, so that is checked too.
What happens if I stop Glycomet suddenly?
Your blood sugar will rise again. Metformin controls diabetes; it does not cure it. Never stop without talking to your doctor.
Is Glycomet 1gm SR available without prescription?
No. Metformin is a Schedule H medicine in India and should be sold only against a doctor's prescription.
Sources
- NHS – Metformin (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms