Biguanides for type 2 diabetes
Examples
Generic Name Brand Name metformin hydrochloride Glucophage rosiglitazone and metformin Avandamet Rosiglitazone is a thiazolidinedione medication, which lowers blood sugar by decreasing insulin resistance. For more information, see the Medications section of the topic Type 2 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed.
In some cases, a health professional may recommend metformin for people who have prediabetes.
How It Works
The action of biguanides in treating type 2 diabetes is not completely understood. They lower blood sugar by:
- Decreasing the amount of sugar produced by the liver. This is the primary action of these medications.
- Increasing the amount of sugar absorbed by muscle cells and decreasing the body's insulin resistance.
Metformin does not cause the pancreas to produce more insulin and when taken alone should not cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or weight gain. Some people taking metformin may lose weight.
Metformin may lower the amount of fat (triglycerides) in the bloodstream, which may reduce the risk of heart disease. It also has been shown to reduce certain abnormal clotting factors and markers of inflammation that can lead to hardening of the arteries.
Why It Is Used
These medications can be used to treat people with type 2 diabetes who have not been able to keep their blood sugar levels within a safe range by eating a balanced diet, losing weight, and exercising regularly. Metformin may be used alone or along with a sulfonylurea or thiazolidinedione medication.
Metformin can also be used to treat people with type 2 diabetes who need to take insulin. A study showed that adding metformin to insulin therapy improved blood sugar levels better than increasing the dose of insulin and did not cause weight gain.1
People who have very low insulin levels, have other severe medical conditions (such as kidney, liver, heart, or lung disease), or are undergoing major surgery should not take biguanides.
Metformin is the oral medication of choice for treating type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents.2
In some cases, a health professional may recommend metformin for people who have prediabetes.
How Well It Works
Results of the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study showed that metformin:
- Was as effective as sulfonylurea medications in reducing blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.3
- Reduced the risk of complications from diabetes in people who were overweight. People who were overweight did not gain weight while taking metformin.4
People who have just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may be able to keep their blood sugar levels within a safe range by taking metformin. However, although metformin controls blood sugar levels for a longer period of time than sulfonylurea medications, over time it may become less effective.
Sometimes a combination of metformin and a sulfonylurea effectively controls blood sugar when a sulfonylurea medication alone has not been effective.
People usually do not gain weight and may even lose a small amount of weight when taking metformin. (People taking sulfonylurea medications or insulin may gain weight.)
Metformin is as effective in treating children with type 2 diabetes as it is in adults.2
Side Effects
The most common side effects of metformin are:
- Temporary nausea.
- Loss of appetite.
- Diarrhea.
- Increased abdominal gas.
- A metallic taste.
These side effects occur in 5% to 20% of people taking metformin.3 Side effects usually decrease over time. When a person begins taking metformin, the dosage usually is increased gradually to prevent side effects. You may also reduce nausea by taking the medication with food.
Blood levels of vitamin B12 can decrease in some people who take metformin, but this usually does not cause health problems.3
A rare side effect of metformin is a condition called lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis develops when muscles release lactic acid during exercise. If the liver is not able to convert the lactic acid into sugar, the acid builds up in the blood. If lactic acidosis is not treated quickly, it can lead to coma and death.
- Lactic acidosis may occur in people who have kidney or liver failure, have low levels of oxygen in their blood (hypoxia), abuse alcohol, or are dehydrated. It can also result if metformin is taken when a person has surgery or X-ray studies that use a dye. Be sure all your doctors know that you are taking this medication if you need a test that involves the use of a dye or if you are having surgery. You will have to stop taking metformin at least 48 hours before the test or surgery.
- Metformin should not be used to treat diabetes in people who have decreased kidney or liver function. A blood test to measure kidney and liver function should be done before starting this medication.
Metformin may decrease menstrual irregularities in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. This may increase the risk for unplanned pregnancy.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Biguanides do not cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or weight gain, which are common side effects of the sulfonylurea medications.
Metformin (Glucophage) has to be taken 2 to 3 times a day.
Although metformin may be safe to take during pregnancy, the Therapeutic Products Directorate has not approved it for that use. Talk with your health professional immediately if you become pregnant while taking metformin.
The effect of metformin may be increased if you also take cimetidine. Talk with your health professional if you are taking this medicine.
Health Canada has announced a possible safety issue with the drug rosiglitazone (Avandia and Avandamet). A new study shows that people who take Avandia raise their chance of having a heart attack. They may also raise their chance of death from heart disease.
If you take Avandia, do not stop taking the medicine. Call your doctor to talk about which medicine is best for you.
Children
Few studies have been done on the use of oral medications for type 2 diabetes in children, and these medications have not been approved by the Therapeutic Products Directorate for use in children. But because these oral medications are safe for adults, health professionals use them to treat children with type 2 diabetes.
Metformin usually keeps blood sugar levels within a safe range without increasing the likelihood that the child will gain weight. If after 3 to 6 months of treatment with metformin blood sugar levels are not consistently within a safe range, a sulfonylurea or insulin is usually added.
Metformin should be stopped during an illness that causes vomiting or diarrhea or any condition that causes dehydration. Check with your health professional.
A new study shows that people who take rosiglitazone (Avandia) raise their chance of having a heart attack. They may also raise their chance of death from heart disease. If you take Avandia, do not stop taking the medicine. Call your doctor to talk about which medicine is best for you.
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| Author: | Merrill Hayden Carrie Henley | Last Updated: November 27, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Hanan Bassyouni, MD - Endocrinology and Metabolism Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Examples | |
| How It Works | |
| Why It Is Used | |
| How Well It Works | |
| Side Effects | |
| What To Think About | |
| References | |