It is a generic drug with brand names like Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza, and Riomet, that helps lower blood sugar levels. Although this drug is mainly used to treat diabetes, Metformin may help treat polycystic ovary syndrome and the infertility associated with this medical condition.
The high cost of fertility treatments and fertility drugs may make parenthood seem out of reach for some couples on a budget. This is why we, a licensed Canadian pharmacy, aim to help you afford the treatment you are looking for by making medicine available to you at Canadian prices. Before you purchase prescription Metformin, talk to your doctor about whether this drug is right for you. If your doctor prescribes this medication, you can order it from us online or by phoning our customer service hotline. We will then ship these pills to you, with free shipping options on selected sizes, so you can start treating your PCOS and be one step closer to parenthood or to help you treat diabetes.
How much does Metformin cost and what is the average cost?
Prices for Metformin are around $18 USA dollars. Prices range depending on the strenght and quantity you order. For instance, at the time of this article, you can find 500mg of Metformin for as low as $12 USD and 800mg for as low as $14.49. Based on these two prices, the average price would be around $15 USD Since prices tend to change from time to time, please check each individual product page to find out the current price. Visit the page for Metformin 500mg here and the page for Metformin 850 mg here. You can always call one of our customer representatives to give you the current price, they will be happy to help.
Can you buy Metformin over the counter?
Not from a licensed Canadian pharmacy like us. This drug requires a prescription in Canada and thus it cannot be sold or obtained without a valid prescription from your doctor. Medicine like this required a prescription because it requires specialized knowledge about the dosage and other factors that can jeopardize your health. That is why we do not recommend you buy it without your doctor's approval even if you can find it somewhere else like unauthorized pharmacies and websites available to you on the internet.
Doctors normally prescribe this drug to treat type 2 diabetes, or possibly gestational diabetes, helping to lower blood sugar levels. However, some doctors may also prescribe this drug to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). By treating PCOS, these pills may help to restore fertility to these women.
The drug help lower blood sugar levels by suppressing glucose production in the liver, decreasing glucose absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, and increasing glucose sensitivity. PCOS is associated with insulin resistance, causing blood sugar levels to be high. This can increase the amount of male hormones, such as testosterone, which in turn can cause irregular periods, lack of ovulation, and other problems. By taking this medication, women with PCOS can reduce their blood sugar levels, reducing their male hormone levels, thus restoring balance to their reproductive system. This can help increase their chance of ovulation, which in turn could lead to pregnancy.
Your fertility doctor will tell you how and when to take these tablets. You will take pills orally with a meal, usually two or three times a day. However, your doctor may also prescribe an extended release version of Metformin that you take once a day. Your fertility doctor will likely prescribe a low dose of this medication at first, then gradually increase the dose over the course of a few months. Swallow your pill whole, not crushed or chewed.
Your doctor will determine the correct dosage for you, which could depend on whether you are taking pills for diabetes or for PCOS, your age, your blood sugar levels, whether the Metformin therapy is combined with insulin or other drugs, and other factors. The drug dosage your doctor prescribes may also change over time depending on your body's tolerance and needs. Low-dose medication therapy may be 500 to 750 mg per day, and high-dose may be 2,550 mg per day. A usual adult dosage of this drug may begin with 500 mg twice daily or 850 mg once daily, with increases every one or two weeks respectively, up to a maintenance dose of 2,000 mg per day. The maximum dose is 2,550 mg per day. For Metformin extended release, the initial dose may be 500 to 1,000 mg once daily, with increases of the drug 500 mg weekly to a maintenance dose of 2,000 mg daily with a maximum dosage of 2,500 mg daily. For children over the age of ten taking immediate-release Metformin, the initial dose is usually 500 mg twice daily with 500 mg weekly increases to a maintenance dose and a maximum of 2,000 mg daily. Always follow your doctor's directions for the correct dosage.
The drug could cause lactic acidosis, so seek medical attention immediately if you experience even mild symptoms of this serious side effect. Lactic acidosis is a buildup of lactic acid in the body, which could start slowly and worsen over time, and could potentially be fatal.
If your stomach symptoms return after several days or weeks of taking the same dose of the medication, seek medical attention for possible lactic acidosis.
Your doctor may need to adjust your dose of these pills or other medications if you experience symptoms of either high or low blood sugar.
Low blood sugar is rare with these tablets, but may occur if taking these tablets with other medication, drinking alcohol, not eating enough regularly, or exercising heavily. If you experience low blood sugar, consume something with a high sugar content such as candy and seek medical attention immediately.
These may not be all the potential side effects of this medication.
Store the medication at room temperature, away from heat and moisture and out of the reach of children. Speak to your doctor before taking these pills during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Check your blood sugar frequently while taking these pills, especially when sick, stressed, or off your usual routine.
Your doctor may prescribe Clomid along with your generic Metformin to help induce ovulation if you have PCOS. They may also prescribe Letrozole to induce ovulation or a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Your fertility doctor may prescribe these drugs with or without in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments, and they may prescribe the drug Metformin along with instructions to lose weight. You may also use a fertility monitor or ovulation tests to determine the best time to conceive while taking these tablets. Your doctor may prescribe vitamin B12 supplements to take along with your Metformin tablets as well.
In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there are high levels of male hormones in the female body. This can lead to problems such as irregular or no menstrual periods and infertility from lack of ovulation. PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. Doctors may treat PCOS using medications like Metformin to lower the levels of male hormones in the woman's body, helping to restore ovulation so an egg can be released to potentially be fertilized.