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Does Metformin Contain Sulfa Drugs?

Posted on Fri, 8 May 2015

Question: My internist gave me "Metfirmin" 500mg . For the first time in my life my. A1C was elevated to 6.5 I am 67 yo . I am allergic to "Sulfites and Sulfa drugs" . I have read that Metformin has the compound of Sulfa in it. I have had a Red and swollen face with lot's of heat . This can also happen when I drink wine . I have had facial celluloses 4 times in the past ( has been treated with antibiotics) my face seems to react to everything. The Metfirmin 500mg has only been for 30 days .. The highest my A1C has been before was 6.0. Just a bad 3 months with too much sugar .

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Metformin doesnt contain Sulfa

Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern. HbA1c of 6 is in prediabetes range and 6.5 is in diabetes range.
Metformin is an excellent drug for treating type 2 diabetes. Recent evidence shows that it protects heart and even prevents certain cancers.

Metformin doesnt contain Sulfa in it. However, another group of diabetes drug called "syphonylureas" has structural similarity to sulfa drugs.

So Metformin is safe for you. The facial flushing doesnt appear to be due to Metformin.

Regards
Binu

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar