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December 30, 2003

Pills for Diabetes

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Question from India:

Are 500 mg plain metformin and 500 mg sustained release metformin equal in total capacity? How does the extended release 500 mg metformin differ from plain?

Answer:

From: DTeam Staff

Both will deliver the same total amount of drug, but the extended release will deliver it over a 24 hour period. Taking a single generic metformin won’t last twenty four hours, that’s why most people take the generic more than once a day. 500 mg is a very low starting dose. Most people take at least 1000 mg a day.

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