PMID: 9159660May 1, 1997Paper

Treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with metformin

The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
R Guthrie

Abstract

Metformin alleviates hyperglycemia of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) by inhibiting hepatic glucose production and improving peripheral insulin sensitivity. In contrast to sulfonylureas, metformin does not stimulate insulin-secretion, promote weight gain, exacerbate hyperinsulinemia, or cause hypoglycemia. It also favorably affects serum lipids. A comprehensive review of the medical literature from 1968 to the present was conducted using the key words "metformin" and "non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus." Metformin monotherapy was superior to placebo and comparable to sulfonylureas in reducing fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels in patients with NIDDM uncontrolled by diet. Metformin and sulfonylureas, however, had diverse effects on body weight and fasting plasma insulin levels; both weight and insulin levels remained unchanged or decreased with metformin and increased with sulfonylureas. In patients with secondary sulfonylurea failure, the combination of metformin and a sulfonylurea synergistically improved glycemic control better than either drug alone and was comparable to insulin plus sulfonylurea. When hyperglycemia is uncontrolled by insulin after secondary sulfonylurea failure, l...Continue Reading

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