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<h4>Aim</h4>To describe the patterns of discontinuation and reinitiation in new users of metformin monotherapy in New Zealand, overall and according to person- and healthcare-related factors.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>We created a cohort (n = 85,066) of all patients in New Zealand with type 2 diabetes mellitus who initiated metformin monotherapy between 1 January 2006 and 30 September 2014 from the national data collections, and followed them until the earlier of their death or 31 December 2015. Discontinuation was defined as a gap in possession of metformin monotherapy of ≥90 days. We explored patterns of discontinuation and reinitiation using competing risks methods.<h4>Results</h4>After 1 year of follow-up, 28% of cohort members had discontinued metformin monotherapy at least once; the corresponding figures after 2 and 5 years were 37% and 46%. The proportions who reinitiated metformin monotherapy within 1, 2, and 5 years of their first discontinuation were 23%, 49%, and 73%. Discontinuation after the first reinitiation was common (48% after 1 year). Discontinuation and reinitiation varied by age, ethnicity, and other person- and healthcare-related factors.<h4>Discussion</h4>Our findings highlight the dynamic nature of metformin monotherapy use, show that substantial periods of non-use are common, and identify priority populations for interventions to facilitate adherence.