title: Metformin--an update.
abstract: Metformin (dimethylbiguanide) is an antihyperglycaemic drug used to treat non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. It acts in the presence of insulin to increase glucose utilization and reduce glucose production, thereby countering insulin resistance. The effects of metformin include increased glucose uptake, oxidation and glycogenesis by muscle, increased glucose metabolism to lactate by the intestine, reduced hepatic gluconeogenesis and possibly a reduced rate of intestinal glucose absorption. Metformin appears to facilitate steps in the postreceptor pathways of insulin action, and may exert effects that are independent of insulin. In muscle, metformin increases translocation into the plasma membrane of certain isoforms of the glucose transporter. The effects of metformin are generally moderate, and do not cause clinical hypoglycaemia or increased weight gain. Metformin has an antihypertriglyceridaemic effect and exerts various potentially useful effects on haemostasis. A risk of lactic acidosis is negligible provided that the contraindications, particularly renal incompetence are respected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, England.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Bailey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008687:Metformin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin