metformin hydrochloride (Glucophage) 500mg/1000mg Powder for Solution

following an abbreviated submission 

metformin powder for oral solution (Glucophage®) is accepted for restricted use within NHS Scotland. 

Licensed indication under review: the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, particularly in overweight patients, when dietary management and exercise alone does not result in adequate glycaemic control:

• In adults, metformin may be used as monotherapy or in combination with other oral anti-diabetic agents or insulin;
• In children, from 10 years of age and adolescents, metformin may be used as monotherapy or in combination with insulin.

A reduction of diabetic complications has been shown in overweight type 2 diabetic adult patients treated with metformin as first-line therapy after diet failure.

SMC restriction: Use is restricted to patients who are unable to swallow the solid dosage formulation. 

There is a price premium relative to metformin immediate release tablets but a saving compared to an existing formulation of metformin oral solution.