When Is the Best Time to Take Metformin?

Timing is everything for many things in life — including when to take medication like metformin, sold under the brand names Glucophage®, Fortamet®, Riomet®, and Glumetza®.

So, when’s the best time to take metformin? Well, there’s no magic time, but you should take metformin at the same time each day and with food to avoid gastrointestinal side effects. If you’re taking extended-release metformin tablets, take them with your evening meal. 

Read on for more details on the best time of day to take metformin and how to take it.

First up, it’s super important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions on when to take metformin. If you’ve been told a time to take your medication, stick with it. 

If you haven’t been told a time, don’t panic. There’s no best time to take metformin, but you should aim to take it at the same time each day to avoid missing or doubling up on doses.

Taking metformin with food can reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, so try taking it with the same meal each day. If you take one metformin tablet a day, it’s usually recommended that you take it with your evening meal. 

So, for example, the best time to take metformin 500mg once a day would be after your dinner. 

Depending on which type of metformin you take and your dose, however, you may take metformin more than once a day. Further, metformin comes in the form of immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets, and as a liquid. Each type of metformin has different requirements in terms of when and how to take it: 

• Regular metformin tablets are taken with meals two or three times a day — for example, with breakfast and dinner.

• Extended-release metformin tablets are typically taken once a day with your evening meal.

• Liquid metformin is typically taken with meals once or twice a day.

The same advice goes here, too: If you take metformin twice or three times a day, aim to take it at the same times each day.

We all react differently to medications, though, so the best time to take metformin for one person may not be the best time for you. And as always, if you have questions about your prescription, let your healthcare provider know. Never make assumptions about a medication, especially a new one.

Just like with when to take metformin, you should also follow any instructions from your healthcare provider on how to take metformin. 

Need a refresher? Thrown out the FDA information leaflet that came with the medication? We’ll guide you through the proper use of metformin. 

Here are the dos and don’ts for taking metformin tablets:

• Don’t chew or crush the tablets. Unless instructed by a healthcare professional, don’t chew or crush your tablets. This can release all the medicine at once, increasing your risk of experiencing gastrointestinal side effects.

• Don’t split the tablet. Unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so, don’t split the tablet.

• Do swallow the whole tablet. Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water, to wash down the tablet.

• Do take your medication at the same time each day. Make it a habit to take your metformin medicine at the same time each day.

• Do take your medication with food. Doing so can help limit stomach or bowel problems, which are common within the first few weeks of treatment.

Meanwhile, here’s what to know if you are taking the liquid form of metformin:

• Measure the liquid. You can use the dosing cup that comes with the medication, a marked measuring spoon, or an oral syringe. Avoid using a teaspoon from your kitchen as it may not hold the proper amount of liquid.

• Take liquid metformin at the same time each day and with food. Just like with the tablet version, make it a habit to take liquid metformin at the same time to avoid missing doses and with food.

Your healthcare provider may give you additional instructions depending on what you’re taking metformin for — i.e., as a diabetes medication or a weight loss treatment. For example, they may provide a personalized diet plan or exercise recommendations to follow alongside your medication. Make sure to abide by those as well, as that could impact how long it takes metformin to work.

Understanding Metformin Side Effects

As noted, timing your metformin dosage is crucial for mitigating the risk — and overall severity — of side effects. But what are those side effects exactly?

The most common side effects of metformin include: 

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Vomiting 

• Upset stomach

• Weakness

• A metallic taste in your mouth 

In rare instances, metformin may lead to low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). This may happen if you’re not eating enough food, are drinking alcohol, or are taking other medications to lower blood glucose.

It’s uncommon, but there is also a risk of lactic acidosis when taking metformin. The condition occurs when there’s a buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include nausea, vomiting, and weakness.

If you experience serious side effects when taking metformin, seek medical advice immediately. And make sure to reach out to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about how metformin works or how to use the drug.

Now that you know a bit more about metformin dosing, side effects, and the recommendations for taking it, we’ve got a few tips for you.

As mentioned, the best time to take metformin really depends on your unique needs and how you react to the medication. The one constant here is that you should take it with food and water. So, working backward, the best time to take metformin is based on when you eat.

Here are some tips and considerations to keep in mind:

• If you’re not a breakfast person, taking metformin in the morning might not be a great option. Think about what time you typically have your first meal and take your medication after that.

• Alternatively, if you usually skip lunch or eat light dinners, taking metformin in the morning after breakfast could work best.

• Stomach and bowel issues can be metformin side effects, especially when you’re first starting out. If you work from home and are close to a bathroom, you may be fine taking your meds at any time. However, if you have a long morning commute or work at an office, you might want to take metformin at night when you’re home, at least for the first month or so.

• If you’re struggling to remember to take your meds, try setting a daily alarm or stacking this habit onto another one. For example, leave your medication next to something you use each day, like your toothbrush or coffee maker. Do you feed your pet at the same time every day? Take your metformin at that time, too.

It’s not the end of the world if you forget to take your daily metformin dose. But try not to make it a habit.

If you miss one dose of metformin, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue taking metformin according to your normal schedule.

You should never take two doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten dose.

There’s a maximum daily dose, so it’s possible to take too much metformin. Metformin overdose can include the following symptoms:

• Abnormally fast or slow heartbeat

• Decreased appetite

• Deep, rapid breathing

• Dizziness

• General discomfort

• Extreme tiredness

• Feeling cold

• Flushing of the skin

• Vomiting

• Nausea

• Stomach pain

• Lightheadedness

• Muscle pain

• Shortness of breath

• Weakness

• Hypoglycemia

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, please contact the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222, or call emergency services.

Whether you’re taking metformin for weight loss, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or another medical condition entirely, you want to get the most out of your medication by taking it at the right time. The catch is, there is no right time.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Take metformin at the same time each day. There’s no best time to take metformin for weight loss or type 2 diabetes (or any other condition). But taking it at the same time each day can help you stay consistent and avoid missing or doubling up on doses.

• The best time depends on your metformin type and dosage. Extended-release metformin tablets are usually taken once a day with your evening meal. Some people take metformin once, twice, or even three times a day, depending on the type of metformin (tablet or liquid) and how many milligrams they’re prescribed. Again, aim to take it at the same times each day.

• Always take metformin with food and water. It’s recommended to take metformin after eating food and wash it down with fluids, such as water. 

• Don’t alter the tablets. Unless instructed by a healthcare professional, never crush, chew, or split your tablets. This can alter the effectiveness of the medicine in your body. You’ll want to store them at room temperature, too.

• Prepare for potential side effects. Taking metformin may cause unpleasant side effects like diarrhea, nausea, and an upset stomach. Taking it with food can reduce the risk.

And if you’re just starting to look into weight loss treatments, know that metformin isn’t your only option. Other weight loss medications include Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and compounded semaglutide.

Our telehealth services can connect you with a licensed healthcare provider who can answer your questions and offer medical guidance to help you get started on your weight loss journey.