Metformin: Difference between revisions
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Metformin IR (immediate release) is available in 500 mg and 850 mg tablets. Doses of up to 3 g a day are commonly prescribed. |
Metformin IR (immediate release) is available in 500 mg and 850 mg tablets. Doses of up to 3 g a day are commonly prescribed. |
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Metformin SR (slow release) was introduced in 2004, mainly to counteract the most common side-effects (see below). No |
Metformin SR (slow release) was introduced in 2004, mainly to counteract the most common side-effects (see below). No difference in glycemic control exists between the two preparations. |
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===Combinations=== |
===Combinations=== |
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Revision as of 17:01, 2 September 2006
| File:Metformin.png | |
| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy category |
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| Routes of administration | Oral |
| ATC code | |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status | |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | 50 to 60% under fasting conditions |
| Metabolism | none |
| Elimination half-life | 6.2 hours |
| Excretion | active renal tubular excretion by OCT2 |
| Identifiers | |
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| CAS Number | |
| PubChem CID | |
| DrugBank | |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.010.472 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C4H11N5 |
| Molar mass | 165.63 g/mol (as hydrochloride) |
Metformin (Glucophage®, Fortamet®, Riomet®) is an anti-diabetic drug from the biguanide class (its other members are the withdrawn agents phenformin and buformin).
Uses
Indications
The main use for metformin is for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, especially when it is concomitant with obesity and insulin resistance.
It is also being used increasingly in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, two other diseases that feature insulin resistance; these indications are still considered experimental.
Metformin is the only anti-diabetic drug that has been proven to reduce the complications of diabetes, as evidenced in a large study of overweight patients with diabetes.[2]
Presentations
Metformin IR (immediate release) is available in 500 mg and 850 mg tablets. Doses of up to 3 g a day are commonly prescribed.
Metformin SR (slow release) was introduced in 2004, mainly to counteract the most common side-effects (see below). No difference in glycemic control exists between the two preparations.
Combinations
Metformin is often prescribed to type 2 diabetes patients in combination with rosiglitazone. This drug actively reduces insulin resistance, complementing the action of the metformin. In 2002, the two drugs were combined into a single product, Avandamet, marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. [1]. In 2005, all current stock of Avandamet was seized by the FDA and removed from the market. This was due to problems at the manufacturing plants, not to any medical issues resulting from the drugs use. [2] The drug pair continued to be prescribed separately in the absence of Avandamet itself, which was readily available by the end of that year.
Mechanism of action
Despite its therapeutic benefits, the mechanism of action of metformin is uncertain. Its mode of action appears to be reduction of hepatic gluconeogenesis; the "average" person with type 2 diabetes has three times the normal rate of gluconeogenesis. Metformin treatment reduces this by one third to two thirds. It has been shown that metformin also decreases intestinal absorption of glucose. A third mechanism is that metformin improves insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and utilization (although such an effect will occur nonspecifically following the lowering of glucose however achieved). Zhou et al showed that metformin stimulates the hepatic enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase.[3]
Side-effects
Lactic acidosis
The most serious side effect of metformin is lactic acidosis. However, this complication is rare if the contra-indications are followed, as it seems limited to those with impaired liver and/or kidney function.
Phenformin was withdrawn because of an increased risk of lactic acidosis (up to 60 cases per million patient-years). In recent studies it was revealed that, as long as it is not prescribed to patients who are at risk, metformin is much safer, and the risk of lactic acidosis approximates that of people who are not on the medication.[4]
Gastrointestinal
The most common side effect of metformin is gastrointestinal upset. This includes diarrhea, cramps, nausea and vomiting. In a clinical trial of 286 subjects, 53.2% of the 141 who were given Metformin IR (as opposed to placebo) reported diarrhea, and 25.5% reported nausea/vomiting (source: Drug Facts & Comparisons 2005).
The side effect of gastrointestinal upset can be source of severe discomfort for patients. It is very common when metformin is first administered, or when the dose is increased. The discomfort can often be avoided by beginning and increasing the dose gradually. Gastrointestinal upset after prolonged, steady use is less common. For the relief of diarrhea and intestinal cramping, a small, non-prescription dose (~10mg) of codeine should be effective.
Long-term use of metformin has been associated with malabsorption of vitamin B12.[5][6] However the clinical significance of this is as yet unknown.[7]
Contraindications
Metformin should not be used in any condition that may increase the risk of lactic acidosis. This includes heart failure, kidney disorders (creatinine over 150 μmol/l), lung disease and liver disease. Metformin should be temporarily discontinued before any radiographic procedure involving iodinated contrast (such as a CT scan or angiogram) as contrast may indirectly cause lactic acidosis due to temporary impairment of kidney fuction. Patients should always inform their physician if they are taking metformin before consenting to any radiographic procedure.
History
The class of biguanide originates from the French lilac (Galega officinalis), a plant known for several centuries to improve the symptoms of diabetes mellitus.[8]
Metformin was first described in the scientific literature in 1957.[9] It was first marketed in France in 1979 but did not receive FDA approval for Type 2 diabetes until 1994.
References
- ^ "FDA-sourced list of all drugs with black box warnings (Use Download Full Results and View Query links.)". nctr-crs.fda.gov. FDA. Retrieved 22 Oct 2023.
- ^ "Effect of intensive blood-glucose control with metformin on complications in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 34). UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) Group". Lancet. 352 (9131): 854–65. 1998. PMID 9742977.
- ^ Zhou G, Myers R, Li Y, Chen Y, Shen X, Fenyk-Melody J, Wu M, Ventre J, Doebber T, Fujii N, Musi N, Hirshman M, Goodyear L, Moller D (2001). "Role of AMP-activated protein kinase in mechanism of metformin action". J Clin Invest. 108 (8): 1167–74. PMID 11602624.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Salpeter S, Greyber E, Pasternak G, Salpeter E (2003). "Risk of fatal and nonfatal lactic acidosis with metformin use in type 2 diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis". Arch Intern Med. 163 (21): 2594–602. PMID 14638559.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Andrès E, Noel E, Goichot B (2002). "Metformin-associated vitamin B12 deficiency". Arch Intern Med. 162 (19): 2251–2. PMID 12390080.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Gilligan M (2002). "Metformin and vitamin B12 deficiency". Arch Intern Med. 162 (4): 484–5. PMID 11863489.
- ^ Samantha Copp (2005-12-01). "What effect does metformin have on vitamin B12 levels?". UK Medicines Information, NHS. - Full report (DOC)
- ^ Witters L (2001). "The blooming of the French lilac". J Clin Invest. 108 (8): 1105–7. PMID 11602616.
- ^ Ungar G, Freedman L, Shapiro S (1957). "Pharmacological studies of a new oral hypoglycemic drug". Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 95 (1): 190–2. PMID 13432032.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)