Metformin Hcl Er (Osm)
Metformin HCl ER (Osmotic Release)
What is Metformin Hcl Er (Osm)?
Metformin HCl ER (Osmotic Release) is a prescription extended-release medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Its osmotic-release technology provides a slow, steady release of metformin throughout the day, helping lower blood sugar with fewer gastrointestinal side effects for many patients.
Side Effects
- Confusion, fast heartbeat, increased hunger, shakiness
- Trouble breathing, slow heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain or cramping
Warnings
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart or blood vessel disease, heart failure, blood circulation problems, anemia, metabolic acidosis, an adrenal gland or pituitary gland disorder, vitamin B12 deficiency, or had a heart attack. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
- Too much of this medicine can cause a rare, but serious condition called lactic acidosis.
- Part of the extended-release tablet may pass in your stool. This is normal.
- Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine before you have surgery, an x-ray, CT scan, or other medical test.
Prescription savings · · · ·
What is Metformin Hcl Er (Osm) ?
Metformin HCl ER (Osmotic Release) is a prescription extended-release medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Its osmotic-release technology provides a slow, steady release of metformin throughout the day, helping lower blood sugar with fewer gastrointestinal side effects for many patients.
- Confusion, fast heartbeat, increased hunger, shakiness
- Trouble breathing, slow heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness
- Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain or cramping
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
- Fever or chills
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart or blood vessel disease, heart failure, blood circulation problems, anemia, metabolic acidosis, an adrenal gland or pituitary gland disorder, vitamin B12 deficiency, or had a heart attack. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
- Too much of this medicine can cause a rare, but serious condition called lactic acidosis.
- Part of the extended-release tablet may pass in your stool. This is normal.
- Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine before you have surgery, an x-ray, CT scan, or other medical test.
- This medicine may cause some premenopausal women who do not have regular monthly periods to ovulate. This can increase the chance of pregnancy. If you are a woman of childbearing potential, discuss birth control options with your doctor.
- Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Metformin Hcl Er (Osm) Coupons & Prices
Metformin HCl ER (Osmotic Release)
Weight-loss medication, prescribed online
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Looking for a metformin HCl ER (OSM) coupon? Metformin hydrochloride extended-release in the osmotic (OSM) form — originally sold under the brand name Fortamet — is a low-cost generic used to help control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. Even though the generic is already inexpensive, the cash price can vary widely from one pharmacy to the next, so it pays to compare. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price at pharmacies near you; Rx.com compares prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies so you can find the lowest one and pay with a free coupon.
What is metformin HCl ER (OSM) and how does it work?
Metformin hydrochloride extended-release (OSM) is a biguanide antidiabetic medicine. It is used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glycemic) control in adults with type 2 diabetes. This is the once-daily, extended-release osmotic (SCOT/OSM) formulation, first marketed as Fortamet, and it delivers 500 mg or 1000 mg of metformin per tablet.
The osmotic tablet uses a special shell that lets the drug release slowly and steadily over the day, which is why it is taken just once daily. Metformin lowers blood sugar mainly by reducing the amount of sugar your liver makes and by helping your body respond better to insulin. It is sometimes used off-label for prediabetes/insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); talk with your provider about whether it is right for your situation.
Cost of metformin HCl ER (OSM) without insurance
Metformin is a generic medicine, so it is generally one of the more affordable diabetes drugs — but "affordable" still varies a lot depending on which pharmacy you use and which formulation you're filling. Because prices for the same generic can differ significantly from store to store, comparing before you fill can make a real difference in what you pay out of pocket.
To see the current cash price for metformin HCl ER (OSM) near you, enter your ZIP code above. Rx.com checks prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies and shows you a free coupon you can use at the pharmacy counter, whether or not you have insurance. There is no manufacturer savings card for this generic, so comparing pharmacy cash prices is the best way to keep your cost down.
Comparing metformin formulations and alternatives
Metformin comes in several forms, and they are not always interchangeable at the pharmacy. If you are exploring options or comparing prices, these related medicines may be worth looking at alongside metformin HCl ER (OSM):
- metformin — the standard immediate-release generic, usually taken more than once a day.
- metformin HCl ER — extended-release metformin (other release technologies).
- Fortamet — the original brand name for the osmotic (OSM) extended-release form.
- Glumetza — a different once-daily extended-release metformin.
- Glucophage XR — a brand extended-release metformin.
The different extended-release versions use different delivery systems, so your provider or pharmacist may have a reason to keep you on a specific one. Compare the price of each near you by entering your ZIP above before deciding.
Safety and side effects
Metformin carries a boxed warning for lactic acidosis — a rare but potentially fatal buildup of the drug. Its symptoms can be vague, such as feeling unwell, muscle aches, trouble breathing, drowsiness, or stomach pain. The risk is higher with reduced kidney function, age over 65, imaging tests that use iodinated contrast dye, sepsis or low-oxygen states, heavy alcohol use, and liver problems. Metformin should not be used with significant kidney impairment (eGFR below 30) or acute metabolic acidosis, and it is usually held around contrast imaging. Long-term use may lower vitamin B12 levels.
The most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, stomach discomfort, and a metallic taste; the extended-release form is generally better tolerated than immediate-release. Metformin rarely causes low blood sugar when used on its own. This is general information, not medical advice — talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your kidney health, other medicines, and any symptoms before starting or changing your dose.
This Metformin Hcl Er (Osm) information was written and reviewed against authoritative U.S. medical sources — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), DailyMed, and FDA prescribing information — and checked for accuracy. It is provided for education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Verify the official label: Metformin Hcl Er (Osm) on DailyMed (FDA)
Reviewed against FDA labeling · Last reviewed July 2026
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Medical disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.