Advice

Following a re-submission

Metformin hydrochloride prolonged-release (Glucophage SR®) is not recommended for use within NHS Scotland for the treatment of adults with type-2 diabetes.

This new formulation appears to have similar short-term efficacy to immediate-release metformin. Evidence of improved gastrointestinal tolerability is not convincing and the prolonged-release formulation is more expensive than the immediate-release formulation.

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Medicine details

Medicine name:
Metformin hydrochloride (Glucophage SR®)
SMC ID:
148/04
Indication:
Type-2 diabetes mellitus
Pharmaceutical company
Merck Serono Ltd
BNF chapter
Endocrine system
Submission type
Resubmission
Status
Not recommended
Date advice published
09 January 2006