Is metformin safe enough for ageing type 2 diabetic patients?
We assessed the effect of adding low doses of metformin to sulfonylurea therapy in 76 elderly Type 2 diabetic patients by monitoring glycaemic control and blood lactate for one year. Metformin markedly improved glycaemic control. Fasting lactate concentrations were not affected and post-meal lactate peaks were minimally increased. Additional benefits included an improvement in some lipid parameters, a reduction in serum uric acid and a significant weight loss in overweight patients. Metformin was clinically well-tolerated. Instead of advanced age alone, renal function and/or any other age-related factor likely to contribute to lactate overproduction should be the basis for deciding on metformin therapy. No evidence indicated that metformin should be denied "a priori" to ageing Type 2 diabetic patients.
Gregorio
F
F
Anti-Diabetic Unit, E. Profili General Hospital, Fabriano (AN), Italy.
Ambrosi
F
F
Filipponi
P
P
Manfrini
S
S
Testa
I
I
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D000886:Anthropometry; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008687:Metformin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007773:Lactates; D008055:Lipids; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008687:Metformin