Is metformin therapy for polycystic ovary syndrome safe during pregnancy?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized among other things by oligo-amenorrhea and may account for more than 75% of cases with anoluvatory infertility. Due to its positive effects on polycystic ovary syndrome-induced infertility metformin has become one of the most common drugs used in this group of patients. The efficacy of the drug as well as the first reports on metformin used in pregnancy has encouraged the continued use of the drug after conception. This MiniReview reviews the current pros and cons of metformin use in pregnancy while awaiting the results of ongoing randomised, controlled clinical trials addressing the subject.
Brock
Birgitte
B
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Aarhus Sygehus, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. bb@farm.au.dk
Smidt
Kamille
K
Ovesen
Per
P
Schmitz
Ole
O
Rungby
Jørgen
J
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous; D000757:Anencephaly / Q000139:chemically induced; D000818:Animals; D000853:Anophthalmos / Q000139:chemically induced; D001755:Blastocyst / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008687:Metformin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008687:Metformin