Metformin, the rebirth of a biguanide: mechanism of action and place in the prevention and treatment of insulin resistance.
Metformin should be regarded as a first-choice therapy of type 2 diabetes, showing an especially good efficacy in obese patients with hyperinsulinaemia. Reduction of blood glucose without hyperinsulinaemia and without hypoglycaemia, favourable influence on the lipid profile and inhibition of coagulation factors lead to an antidiabetic and antiatherogenic effect. Not only are these characteristics relevant to judging the value of the drug, but also the strict observation of contraindications is needed to avoid the dangerous complication of lactic acidosis.
Mehnert
H
H
Institut für Diabetesforschung Städtisches Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus München-Schwabing, München, Germany.
D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000379:methods*
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin