Metformin in India: Glycomet, Import Rules and Pharmacy Access

Metformin is widely available in India as Glycomet and generics. Bring a doctor's letter and your full supply. No import permit required.

Quick reference

Drug class: Biguanide
Controlled substance: No
Prescription required: Yes: Schedule H drug under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
Available locally: Yes: Glycomet (USV Pvt Ltd) is the dominant local brand; generics widely available
Storage: Room temperature, below 25°C, away from moisture and direct light
Max supply to carry: No statutory import cap for personal use; carry what you need for the trip plus a buffer
Key document: Doctor's letter on clinic letterhead stating your name, medication, dose, and quantity
Emergency alternative: Glycomet or generic metformin is available at most Indian pharmacies with a local prescription.

Taking metformin to India: what you need to know

Metformin, sold globally as Glucophage, Glucophage XR, and Dianben, is classified as a Schedule H drug under India's Drugs and Cosmetics Act^[1], meaning it is prescription-only but not a controlled substance.

The dominant local brand is Glycomet, manufactured by USV Pvt Ltd, and generics are stocked at virtually every Indian pharmacy. India's intense heat and humidity require careful storage planning, and a doctor's letter will smooth any customs query.

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to India with metformin

Metformin is not a controlled substance in India, so no import permit is required. You do need a doctor's letter confirming your prescription, as India's Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs allows personal-use quantities of Schedule H medicines^[2] when accompanied by supporting documentation. Carry the original prescription or a signed letter from your prescriber on clinic letterhead. For the full document checklist, see our diabetes in India travel guide.

Pre-travel paperwork timeline

T-30 days
Book a prescriber appointment to renew your prescription and request a dated doctor's letter for travel.Prescriber letter
T-14 days
Confirm your letter includes your full name, the INN (metformin), brand name, dose, quantity to be carried, your condition (single word), and the doctor's registration number and signature.Doctor's letter
No Indian import permit required; the letter itself is sufficient documentation.
T-7 days
Prepare a pharmacy printout or original blister pack to support the letter. Translation into Hindi is not legally required but can help if customs queries the pack.Translated letter
T-1 day
Print all documents. Pack medication in original packaging with the pharmacy label clearly visible. Do not decant tablets into an unlabelled container.
T-0 (border)
Keep the doctor's letter accessible in your carry-on. Metformin does not need to be proactively declared, but produce the letter promptly if asked by a customs officer.

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What your doctor's letter must include

Full name, medication name (metformin and local brand if known), dose and frequency, quantity carried, condition name (one word), doctor's signature and registration number, and clinic letterhead with contact details. Translation into Hindi is not mandatory but recommended if travelling to areas where English is less common.

Translation into Hindi is not a legal requirement for metformin import. Notarisation or an apostille is not required. A printed pharmacy label in English is generally accepted at Indian customs.

How much metformin to bring

India does not impose a statutory day-limit on personal-use imports of non-controlled prescription medicines. Bring the quantity needed for your stay plus a 20% buffer^[2] to account for delays and stock variation. While Glycomet is widely available, extended-release formulations and specific dose strengths may not be stocked at every pharmacy, so relying on a local refill carries risk. Travel insurance rarely covers routine medication refills, so a full supply from home is the safest approach.

Split your supply

Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup in checked luggage. If one bag is lost or delayed, you still have medication. Keep both in original packaging with pharmacy labels attached.

Packing and storing metformin for travel

Metformin tablets should be stored below 25°C, away from moisture and direct light^[3]. India's temperatures regularly exceed 35°C from March through October, so avoid leaving tablets in a hot car or near a sunny window. A small insulated pouch is sufficient for transit; metformin does not require refrigeration. Keep the pack sealed until each dose to limit humidity exposure.

At the airport and border

Airport security with metformin

Metformin tablets are solid and not subject to liquid or gel restrictions at airport security. Keep tablets in their original blister pack or labelled bottle so the medication name is visible. Security staff may ask you to remove the medication bag from your carry-on for X-ray screening; this is routine. No needles or sharps are involved, so no additional declaration is needed at the security lane.

Customs and medication import rules for India

India's customs rules permit personal-use quantities of prescription medicines without a separate import licence^[2] provided you carry supporting documentation. Metformin is not on any controlled or narcotics list in India, so there is no formal declaration requirement. Carry your doctor's letter and original packaging to present if a customs officer queries the quantity. If you are bringing a large supply (more than three months), having your prescription on hand reduces the risk of delays.

Keep original packaging

Do not decant metformin into an unlabelled weekly pill organiser for the flight. Keep at least one blister pack or the labelled bottle in your carry-on. If a customs officer questions the medication, the pharmacy label is your clearest evidence of a legitimate prescription.

While in country

Metformin availability in India

Brands of metformin sold in India

Brand name	Indication	Formulation	Supply note
Glycomet	Type 2 diabetes	Immediate-release tablet (500 mg, 850 mg, 1000 mg)	Reliable supply at most pharmacies nationwide
Glycomet SR	Type 2 diabetes	Sustained-release tablet (500 mg, 1000 mg)	Widely available; confirm your dose strength is stocked before relying on local refill
Glucophage	Type 2 diabetes	Immediate-release tablet (500 mg, 850 mg, 1000 mg)	Available at large urban pharmacies and hospital dispensaries; not universally stocked
Metformin (generic)	Type 2 diabetes	Immediate-release and SR tablets, various strengths	Very widely available; price lower than branded versions

Metformin is listed on India's National List of Essential Medicines^[4] and is stocked at government hospitals, private pharmacies, and Jan Aushadhi generic drug stores across the country. A local prescription is required to purchase it.

Without insurance, Glycomet 500 mg (30 tablets) costs approximately ₹30 to ₹60 (~$0.36 to $0.72 / ~€0.33 to €0.66), and generic metformin may be even cheaper at Jan Aushadhi outlets.

Finding a doctor who can prescribe metformin in India

Private hospitals and polyclinics in India's major cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai, have English-speaking diabetologists and general physicians. A private consultation costs approximately ₹500 to ₹1,500 (~$6 to $18 / ~€5.50 to €16.50).

Telemedicine platforms registered with India's Ministry of Health^[5] can issue a valid digital prescription, which most pharmacies accept. Apollo, Fortis, and Max Healthcare networks have walk-in clinics in major metros if you need an in-person consultation quickly.

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Use Nomedic's provider search to find doctors and pharmacies in India.

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Storing metformin while in India

The EMA-approved product information for metformin specifies storage below 25°C with protection from moisture^[3]. In Indian cities during summer, room temperatures regularly reach 38 to 42°C, so storing tablets near an air-conditioning vent or in an insulated pouch inside a cool bag is advisable.

Avoid leaving metformin in a parked car, on a window ledge, or in a bag exposed to direct sun. Power cuts are common in some regions; if your accommodation loses power for extended periods, move tablets to the coolest available spot indoors.

Emergencies

What to do if something goes wrong with your metformin in India

If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report immediately, as this is often required by travel insurers for a replacement claim. Contact your insurer's emergency line and ask whether they can arrange a replacement prescription through a local partner clinic.

If you run out unexpectedly, go to any private hospital or registered pharmacy and request a consultation with a general physician or diabetologist. They can issue a local prescription for Glycomet or a generic equivalent on the same day. See India's travel healthcare guide for hospital and clinic options in major cities.

“मुझे मेटफॉर्मिन चाहिए। / Mujhe metformin chahiye. | मुझे मधुमेह है। / Mujhe madhumeh hai. | कृपया डॉक्टर को बुलाएं। / Kripya doctor ko bulayen. | सबसे नजदीकी फार्मेसी कहाँ है? / Sabse najdeeki pharmacy kahan hai?”

I need metformin. | I have diabetes. | Please call a doctor. | Where is the nearest pharmacy?

India's national emergency number is 112, which connects to police, ambulance, and fire services. For medical emergencies, the dedicated ambulance line is 108^[6], available 24/7 in most states.

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Frequently asked questions

Is metformin legal in India?

Yes, metformin is legal in India and is not a controlled substance. It is widely sold locally, most commonly as Glycomet. Personal-use quantities of prescription medicine are permitted without a separate import licence provided you carry supporting documentation, so bring a doctor's letter stating your name, the medication, dose and quantity.

Can I bring metformin into India without an import permit?

Yes. Metformin is not a controlled substance in India, so no import permit is required. Carry a doctor's letter and original packaging to present if customs officers ask about your supply.

Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with metformin?

A doctor's letter is not legally mandatory but strongly advisable. It confirms your prescription is legitimate and speeds up any customs query, particularly if you are carrying more than a month's supply. Keep the letter with your travel documents, not packed in checked luggage.

What if I run out of metformin while in India?

Visit any private hospital or registered pharmacy and request a consultation with a general physician or diabetologist. A same-day prescription for Glycomet or generic metformin is routinely issued at private clinics. Extended-release formulations may need to be sourced from a hospital pharmacy in larger cities.

Is Glucophage available in India?

Glucophage is available at select large urban pharmacies and hospital dispensaries in India, but it is not universally stocked. The dominant local brand is Glycomet (USV Pvt Ltd), and generic metformin is sold at Jan Aushadhi stores nationwide at lower cost. A local prescription is required.

How much does metformin cost at Indian pharmacies?

Glycomet 500 mg (30 tablets) costs approximately ₹30 to ₹60 (~$0.36 to $0.72 / ~€0.33 to €0.66) at private pharmacies, while generic versions at Jan Aushadhi stores can be cheaper still. A local prescription is required to purchase it.

Does India's extreme heat damage metformin tablets?

Metformin is not a cold-chain medication and does not require refrigeration. However, prolonged exposure above 25°C and high humidity can degrade tablets over time. Store them in an insulated pouch away from direct sunlight, and do not leave them in a parked car or on a window ledge during India's hot season.

Related practical guide

Oral Diabetes Medication Abroad: The Refill Gaps Nobody Warns You About

Your metformin works fine at home. Abroad, the brand name changes, the dose schedule shifts, and the pharmacy may not stock it at all.