Medicine Cabinet

Know your medication, one dose at a time!

- Dr Vedavati Purandare

METFORMIN

Metformin, a biguanide, is a boon for people with Type 2 Diabetes. Metformin was extracted from the plant galega officinalis, a plant used in folk medicine for several centuries.

It is a robust insulin sensitiser and helps correct the major pathophysiology of insulin resistance in Type 2 Diabetes. Its multifaceted benefits are efficacy, no risk of hypoglycaemia, low cost, decrease in triglyceride levels, weight neutrality, cardio-protection, anti-cancer, anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory effects and a good safety profile. More and more molecular mechanisms are being discovered that may ultimately explain the many pleotropic effects of metformin.

Because of these factors, metformin is the most popular oral antidiabetic therapy, often referred as foundation therapy for Type 2 Diabetes.

What does metformin do?

Metformin is an oral medication that helps control blood sugar levels in people with Diabetes. It can be used along with insulin or other oral medication. Metformin increases insulin sensitivity and enhances peripheral glucose (sugar) uptake.