Etformin 500 mg Tablet belongs to a group of anti-diabetic medicines called biguanides used in the treatment of diabetes. It helps to lower the increased blood glucose level in type 2 diabetes patients. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic or lifelong disorder that affects the way our body processes glucose. People with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or the insulin produced is unable to perform its function in the body (insulin resistance). Middle-aged or older individuals are most likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, so it is also known as adult-onset diabetes.

Etformin 500 mg Tablet is prescribed for the condition of type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise alone cannot control their blood sugar levels. It is the first-line therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes. Etformin 500 mg Tablet restores the body's response to insulin, decreases the amount of blood sugar produced by the liver, and delays the absorption of sugar by the stomach or intestines. Besides, Etformin 500 mg Tablet has off-label usage in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) where it helps normalize the menstruation cycle by restoring the body's hormonal balance, lowers blood sugar levels, and stimulates ovulation. 

Usually, Etformin 500 mg Tablet does not cause very significant side effects. Common side effects include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, or a metallic taste in the mouth. In very rare cases, it may cause a condition known as lactic acidosis (too much lactic acid in the body) with symptoms like dizziness, drowsiness, muscle pain, etc. Your sugar level may go down while taking this medicine with heavy exercise, drinking excessive alcohol, or skipping meals. Talk to the doctor about any of the health conditions listed above that may require urgent medical treatment.

Etformin 500 mg Tablet works best when coupled with a healthy lifestyle like losing weight if you are overweight (BMI >25), eating fewer calories (low fat and sugary food), and being more physically active (at least 150 min of activity every week).

Etformin 500 mg Tablet plays a vital role in managing diabetes and achieving good control of blood sugar levels by delaying the absorption of sugar and increasing insulin sensitivity in the body. Etformin 500 mg Tablet does not cause a sudden lowering of the blood glucose level or cause significant hypoglycaemia. Unlike other anti-diabetic therapies like sulfonylureas or insulin, Etformin 500 mg Tablet does not cause weight gain but may cause modest weight loss. In the prediabetic condition, Etformin 500 mg Tablet is the only recommended treatment available. Etformin 500 mg Tablet also helps to prevent serious complications of diabetes such as kidney damage (Diabetic Nephropathy), blindness (Diabetic Retinopathy), loss of sensation in your hands and feet (Diabetic Neuropathy) or even loss of foot! Etformin 500 mg Tablet also helps to reduce your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. 

Some diabetic patients taking Etformin 500 mg Tablet may develop a serious condition called lactic acidosis. In lactic acidosis, there is too much lactic acid accumulated in the blood. So, your liver and kidney proper functioning is required for the elimination of excess lactic acid from the blood. You should not take metformin if you have kidney disease, as measured by a blood test. Etformin 500 mg Tablet may lower vitamin B-12 levels, so try to have blood test annual blood and vitamin. Etformin 500 mg Tablet , when used with insulin, may extremely lower the blood sugar level. So, the doctor may lower the dose of insulin.

• Invest at least 150 min of your week in moderate-intensity physical activity or one hour and 15 minutes of high-intensity exercise every week. 
• Losing weight gradually to achieve a healthy body mass index (18.5 to 24.9).
• Replacing refined carbohydrates-containing foods with whole grain foods and increasing intake of fruits and veggies and other fiber enriched foods. 
• Reduce intake of saturated fat (or hidden fats) in food like chips, crisps, pastries, biscuits, and samosas. Choose omega-3 fatty acid-containing oils for daily cooking. For frying, you can use palm oil, mustard oil, groundnut oil, rice bran oil, and safflower oil. 
• Avoid taking too much stress as it may elevate your blood sugar level. You can adopt stress management techniques like mindfulness to control stress-related blood sugar changes or meditation or yoga.
• Opt for low-fat dairy products (low-fat yogurt, fat-free milk, cheese, etc.). 
• Keep your blood pressure as normal (140/90) as possible as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes patients.

• Keep taking Etformin 500 mg Tablet  even if you think your blood sugar levels are under control. If you miss a dose, do not take a larger dose, consult your treating physician for advice. 
• Take short frequent meals, avoid prolonged fasting when taking Etformin 500 mg Tablet . Beware of symptoms of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) which include sweating, dizziness, palpitations, shivering, intense thirst, dry mouth, dry skin, frequent urination etc. Whenever you experience any of the above mentioned symptoms, immediately consume 5-6 candies or 3 glucose biscuits or 3 teaspoons of honey/sugar and also get in touch with your physician. Make sure to carry these with you at all times, especially during long travels. 
• It is always better that your physician knows about any underlying conditions like kidney disease or liver disease, prior heart attack, alcohol intake, etc before the doctor prescribes you Etformin 500 mg Tablet .
• Avoid drinking alcohol while on Etformin 500 mg Tablet  as it increases the risk of hypoglycaemia (decrease in blood sugar which might be fatal in some cases) and lactic acidosis (when the lactic acid increases in the body which impacts the functioning of various organs in the body).
• Try to quit smoking and reduce intake of carbohydrate rich food like potato, rice, mangoes, bread, sugar etc.
• Remember, lifestyle modifications are the most important step in controlling blood sugar levels.

Type 2 diabetes: It is a chronic or lifelong disease that keeps the body away from properly utilizing insulin. Hence, people affected with type 2 diabetes either do not produce enough insulin, or there is resistance to the action of insulin. Middle-aged or older are most likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, so it is also known as adult-onset diabetes. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination at night, slow wound healing, increased hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. In some cases, there may be weight gain while in rare cases weight loss may be observed. The complication of type 2 diabetes also includes neuropathy (nerve problems), nephropathy (kidney problems), and retinopathy (damaged retina of eyes or blindness), loss of limbs, sexual dysfunction, and increase chance of heart attack or stroke.