Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:
Immediate-release:
Initial dose: 500 mg orally twice a day or 850 mg orally once a day
Dose titration: Increase in 500 mg weekly increments or 850 mg every 2 weeks as tolerated
Maintenance dose: 2000 mg daily in divided doses
Maximum dose: 2550 mg/day
Extended-release:
Initial dose: 500 to 1000 mg orally once a day
Dose titration: Increase in 500 mg weekly increments as tolerated
Maintenance dose: 2000 mg daily
Maximum dose: 2500 mg daily
Comments:
-Metformin, if not contraindicated, is the preferred initial pharmacologic agent for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
-Immediate-release: Take in divided doses 2 to 3 times a day with meals; titrate slowly to minimize gastrointestinal side effects. In general, significant responses are not observed with doses less than 1500 mg/day.
-Extended-release: Take with the evening meal; if glycemic control is not achieved with 2000 mg once a day, may consider 1000 mg of extended-release product twice a day; if glycemic control is still not achieve, may switch to immediate-release product.
Use: To improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Diabetes Type 2:
10 years or older:
Immediate-release:
Initial dose: 500 mg orally twice a day
Dose titration: Increase in 500 mg weekly increments as tolerated
Maintenance dose: 2000 mg daily
Maximum dose: 2000 mg daily
Comments: Take in divided doses 2 to 3 times a day with meals. Titrate slowly to minimize gastrointestinal side effects.
Safety and effectiveness of Glucophage extended-release has not been established in pediatric patients less than 18 years of age.
Use: To improve glycemic control in children with type 2 diabetes mellitus as an adjunct to diet and exercise.
 Detailed Glucophage dosage information
