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Prescription onlyOff-label use
Metformin
Prescription — daily oral
A long-established daily tablet a provider may consider for metabolic health when a GLP-1 isn't appropriate, isn't preferred, or isn't affordable.
FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Prescribing it for weight is an off-label use — lawful, long-established, and at your provider's discretion.
from $15/mo
if prescribedSample pricingYou'll see your exact total before you're charged anything. Nothing is charged for the visit itself.
Adding to your plan doesn't order anything and doesn't charge you — it tells the provider what you're hoping to discuss.
About 5 minutes. A licensed provider reviews your health and prescribes metformin only if it's right for you — there is no checkout here, and that's deliberate.
How it works
What it actually does
Metformin reduces the amount of glucose the liver releases and improves how sensitive your tissues are to insulin. It has decades of clinical use behind it and is one of the most studied medications in the world. Its effect on weight is generally modest compared with the injectable options — your provider will be straight with you about that.
See the full mechanism, step by stepA provider may consider it if
- A GLP-1 isn't appropriate, isn't preferred, or isn't affordable for you
- Your provider wants to address insulin resistance specifically
- You'd rather start with a daily tablet than an injection
It won't be prescribed if
- Significant kidney impairment — this is the main hard stop
- Anyone whose current medication list hasn't been reviewed, since interactions matter here
- Heavy alcohol use, which raises the risk of a rare but serious complication
These are the same checks the visit runs. If one applies, the visit will tell you plainly rather than take your money.
What to expect
Realistically, month by month
Weeks 1–2
Digestive upset is common early and usually settles. Providers often start low and take it with food for exactly this reason.
Ongoing
Taken daily and reviewed at check-ins, sometimes alongside periodic bloodwork your provider will explain.
Safety, stated up front
Side effects, before you decide
Nausea, diarrhoea and a metallic taste are the common early ones and often fade. Long-term use can affect vitamin B12 absorption. Lactic acidosis is a rare but serious risk, which is why kidney function and alcohol use are screened before prescribing.
- FDA prescribing information: metformin hydrochloride
Complete safety information is provided during your visit and with every prescription. This page is a summary, not a substitute for your provider's advice.
Questions
Asked honestly, answered honestly
Isn't this a diabetes medication?
It's used in type 2 diabetes and also in insulin resistance more broadly. Whether it's an appropriate part of your plan is your provider's call after reviewing your history.
See whether metformin is right for you
Five minutes of questions, reviewed by a licensed provider. Treatment only if it's appropriate — and a straight answer either way.