title: [Biguanides in the treatment of diabetes mellitus].
abstract: Biguanides are useful drugs in diabetes but their indications are very precise. The danger of lactic acidosis can be avoided with the use of metformin, the less toxic of biguanides, and strict respect for contraindications. All biguanides have a similar action, through different pharmacokinetics, and besides their hypoglycemic effect, have a favourable action on blood lipids, which increases their usefulness. Haemorheological effects, recently studied in animal research, may open a new field in the employment of biguanides.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Saraiva
mesh_terms: D000140:Acidosis, Lactic / Q000139:chemically induced; D001645:Biguanides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001645:Biguanides; D008687:Metformin
vernacular_title: As biguanidas na terapêutica da diabetes.