GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Metformin may improve insulin use and help
prevent age-related onset diabetes. It may increase the sensitivity of peripheral tissues
(like muscles) to the effects of insulin, restoring
the effects of glucose and insulin to younger physiological levels. Metformin may also be a
useful dieting aid as it acts to stabilize sugar levels, thus preventing sugar highs
and lows and sugar cravings. In addition, a recent study has found that metformin significantly reduces the risk of spontaneous abortion in women
with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) when administered
during the first trimester of pregnancy.
ROLE FOR ANTI-AGING:
Metformin’s anti-aging benefits may also include decreasing risk of age-related adultonset diabetes, prevention of sugar cravings, improved body
composition with improved insulin use, stabilization of
sugar levels and slowing of the effects of diabetes.
Research published in April 2001 suggests that metformin
may also be useful in preventing pancreatic cancer in obese people. Furthermore, results of
research published in 2002 suggest that the drug may act as
an antioxidant, and could also help to improve the recovery
of the heart after minor ischemic incidents.
SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Side effects in healthy aging individuals are
rare but may include nausea, loss of appetite, and very rarely, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea.
Patients with diabetes type I and II sometimes take doses as
high as 3 grams a day, in which case side effects may
include hypoglycemia or lactic acidosis. Use of metformin is contraindicated when combined
with Thiazide, Cimetidine, diuretics or other
anti-hypertensive products, which could cause renal
malfunctioning. It is also contraindicated in individuals
with ketonuria, serious hepatic and renal disorders, serious
cardiovascular problems, serious respiratory problems, suprarenal insufficiency, chronic alcoholism, serious dystrophic illness, acute hemorrhaging, gangrene, diabetes with previous episodes of lactic acidosis, or hypersensitivity to
metformin.
Note:
cause the malabsorption of vitamin B12, patients should
supplement their diets liberally with vitamin B12.
PHARMACOLOGY: Synonyms:
Chemical Name:1,1
Dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride
Molecular Formula:
Molecular Weight:
Distribution:
supplied in 250mg, 500mg, and 850mg tablets under the trade
names Devian, Dextin, Diaberit, Diabetex, Diabetosan, Diabex, Diaformin, Glucamet, Glucophage,
Glucophate, Mediabet, Mesorit, Metforal, Metiguanide and
Orabet.
