title: Metformin therapy and diabetes in pregnancy.
abstract: No adverse pregnancy outcomes with metformin use have been reported, except in one unmatched study. Otherwise, the studies are small and non-randomised, with the exception of one prospective, randomised controlled trial, currently under way, comparing metformin with insulin in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (the MiG trial). No long-term follow-up data for offspring of mothers receiving metformin have been published. Any woman with diabetes should be as close to euglycaemia as possible before pregnancy. In some circumstances (eg, severe insulin resistance), metformin therapy during pregnancy may be warranted. When metformin treatment is being considered, the individual risks and benefits need to be discussed with the patient so that an appropriate decision can be reached.
authors.affiliation: Waikato Clinical School, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand. simmonsd@waikatodhb.govt.nz
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: Barry N J
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Walters
authors.forename: Janet A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rowan
authors.forename: H David
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: McIntyre
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008687:Metformin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin