{"id":628732,"date":"2024-06-26T17:34:42","date_gmt":"2024-06-26T21:34:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628732"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:53:18","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:53:18","slug":"berberine-vs-metformin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/berberine-vs-metformin\/","title":{"rendered":"Berberine vs. metformin for diabetes treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Berberine is a dietary supplement used to help control <\/span>blood sugar<\/span><\/a>, among other uses. Metformin is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a prescription drug used to improve blood sugar control in people with Type 2 diabetes. Metformin works by decreasing sugar production in the liver, slowing sugar absorption from food, and helping cells in the body use sugar more effectively. There are many differences between berberine and metformin—continue reading to learn about both.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the main differences between berberine and metformin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Berberine<\/span><\/a> is a dietary supplement that you can purchase over the counter. It is available in various formulations, such as oral capsules or gummies. <\/span>Metformin<\/span><\/a> is available <\/span>by prescription only<\/span><\/a>. You cannot purchase metformin over the counter. Metformin has two formulations: an immediate-release form and an <\/span>extended-release<\/span><\/a> form. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Main differences between berberine and metformin<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

<\/td>\nBerberine <\/b><\/td>\nMetformin <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drug class<\/b><\/td>\nDietary supplement <\/span><\/td>\nBiguanide <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Brand\/generic status<\/b><\/td>\nAvailable in many formulations<\/span><\/td>\nGeneric <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What is the brand name?<\/b><\/td>\nVarious product names<\/span><\/td>\nFortamet and Glumetza are brand-name versions of metformin<\/span><\/p>\n

Brand names Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Riomet, and Riomet XR are no longer available in the U.S. <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

What form(s) does the drug come in?<\/b><\/td>\nVarious, such as capsules and gummies<\/span><\/td>\nTablet<\/span><\/p>\n

Extended-release tablet<\/span><\/p>\n

Oral liquid<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

What is the standard dosage?<\/b><\/td>\n500 mg by mouth three times daily before meals<\/span><\/td>\nVaries; a <\/span>typical dose<\/span> may be to start with 500 mg by mouth twice daily, gradually increasing to a higher dose of 1,000 mg twice daily as directed by the healthcare provider<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
How long is the typical treatment?<\/b><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\nLong-term <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Who typically uses the medication?<\/b><\/td>\nAdults<\/span><\/td>\nAdults and children 10 years and older (extended-release version is for adults only)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Conditions treated by berberine and metformin<\/span><\/h2>\n

Dietary supplements, like berberine, are <\/span>not FDA-approved<\/span><\/a> to treat medical conditions like diabetes. They are not considered medicines and cannot be used to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure medical conditions. While prescription and OTC drugs go through extensive clinical studies, dietary supplements are overseen by the FDA but are not as strictly regulated. Dietary supplements can make statements such as “promoting health” or supporting a body part or function, but all claims are followed by this statement: <\/span><\/p>\n

“This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” <\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the possible uses of berberine include diabetes, certain types of digestive tract infections, high cholesterol (especially in those with mildly elevated cholesterol who cannot take a statin or who have <\/span>metabolic syndrome<\/span><\/a>), high blood pressure, and <\/span>polycystic ovary syndrome<\/span><\/a> (PCOS). Some research suggests it may help with <\/span>weight loss<\/span><\/a>, but more research needs to be done to determine if berberine can impact body weight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Metformin is FDA-approved to improve blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The immediate-release version can be used in adults and pediatric patients 10 years and older, while the extended-release version can be used in adults only. Metformin is generally used along with <\/span>dietary changes<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>increased exercise<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Metformin also has several <\/span>off-label uses<\/span><\/a>, which means uses that are not approved by the FDA. These include treating PCOS (including infertility treatment), delaying puberty in females with early puberty, treating <\/span>gestational diabetes<\/span><\/a>, treating <\/span>prediabetes<\/span><\/a> (and insulin resistance), and treating obesity or high blood sugar due to side effects of <\/span>antipsychotic medications<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Is berberine or metformin more effective?<\/span><\/h2>\n

As noted above, berberine is not held to as strict standards as metformin. Moreover, because dietary supplements are not regulated as strictly as prescription and OTC products, there may be problems with the actual product. For example, the dose on the label might not match the exact dose of the supplement. Some dietary supplements have been found to contain contaminants. There is insufficient oversight to ensure dietary supplements’ safety and accuracy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clinical guidelines for the treatment of <\/span>Type 2 diabetes<\/span><\/a>, such as those by the American Diabetes Association, recommend metformin as the first drug of treatment (along with lifestyle changes). Metformin is considered a very effective drug and is safe, well-tolerated, and affordable. <\/span><\/p>\n

Many patients will require more than one medication to help with blood glucose control or other co-occurring conditions. This is called <\/span>combination therapy<\/span><\/a>, and many people require more than one medication right away. For example, people with Type 2 diabetes and certain conditions like heart disease, heart failure, or kidney disease may benefit from medications like <\/span>GLP-1 agonists<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>SGLT2 inhibitors<\/span><\/a> in addition to metformin. <\/span><\/p>\n

Dietary supplements like berberine have not been proven effective in treating these conditions. Some <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> has shown berberine to be promising; however, results are conflicting. As of now, while metformin is considered a mainstay of treatment for Type 2 diabetes, berberine is not.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can consult your healthcare provider for more information and medical advice about berberine and <\/span>metformin<\/span><\/a>, as only your provider can determine the best treatment for your condition. If you want to try berberine and see if it works for you, that may be an option—just check with your healthcare provider first, as there are many individual factors to consider.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coverage and cost comparison of berberine vs. metformin<\/span><\/h2>\n

Because berberine is a dietary supplement, it is not typically covered by insurance or Medicare prescription plans. Metformin is generally covered by health insurance and <\/span>Medicare prescription plans<\/span><\/a>. A typical one-month supply of 60, 500 mg tablets would cost about $190 out of pocket. However, using a <\/span>free SingleCare card<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>coupon<\/span><\/a>, you could pay as low as $4. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nBerberine <\/b><\/td>\nMetformin <\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by insurance?<\/b><\/td>\nNo <\/span><\/td>\nYes <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typically covered by Medicare Part D?<\/b><\/td>\nNo <\/span><\/td>\nYes <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Quantity<\/b><\/td>\nVaries<\/span><\/td>\n60, 500 mg tablets<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typical Medicare copay<\/b><\/td>\nN\/A<\/span><\/td>\n$0-11<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
SingleCare cost<\/b><\/td>\nN\/A<\/span><\/td>\n$4<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Common side effects of berberine vs. metformin<\/span><\/h2>\n

Common potential <\/span>side effects of berberine<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n