Mode of action of Glucophage®.
It is the drug of choice for people with an increased insulin resistance, i.e. a reduced effect of insulin on body cells. The exact mode of action of Glucophage® or metformin has not yet been fully researched, despite the wide distribution of this drug. It is known, however, that it lowers blood sugar levels in several ways: on the one hand, it reduces sugar production in the liver, which means that the liver releases less sugar into the bloodstream.
On the other hand, it increases the effect of insulin on the body’s cells, allowing them to absorb more sugar. Importantly, unlike many other antidiabetic drugs, metformin does not increase the weight of patients. Thus, it does not increase the often existing overweight, which makes the occurrence of diabetes more likely anyway.
Furthermore, Glucophage® can improve blood lipid levels and existing high blood pressure, which leads to a lower risk of secondary diabetes. Glucophage® is often used as the first drug in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2, but can also be combined with other antidiabetics and used together with insulin. Popular combination partners of Glucophage® are sulfonylureas, DPP4 inhibitors or insulin sensitizers in addition to insulin.
Side Effects of Glucophage
Taking Glucophage® can lead to nausea, diarrhea and flatulence. Sometimes patients describe a metallic taste on the tongue caused by the drug. Side effects are generally mild and can be minimized by slowly increasing the dose taken and by taking Glucophage® with meals.
Lactate acidosis is the most important, most dangerous and by far the rarest side effect.In this process, the blood acidifies, which can lead to unspecific symptoms such as nausea and abdominal pain at the beginning, but in the course of time can lead to circulatory failure with reduced blood supply to various organs (e.g. the kidney). Patients with accompanying liver and kidney dysfunction as well as severe cardiovascular diseases are particularly susceptible to such a lactic acidosis. Glucophage® should not be used in such patients.
It should be discontinued before surgery, as the probability of acidosis is increased by the procedure. It should also be discontinued before examinations that require the administration of contrast media. In these cases, metformin can promote the occurrence of renal dysfunction.
In pregnant women, insulin and not Glucophage® should be used to treat diabetes. Other topics that might interest you: All information in the field of drugs can also be found under Drugs A-Z!
- Actraphans
- Aplphaglucosidase inhibitors
- Amaryl
- Glinide
- Glitazones
- Lantus®
- Metformin
- Sulfonylureas
