Biguanides

Topic: Pharmacology

An oral drug class that is usually first-line in type 2 diabetes; its only member in current use, metformin, lowers hepatic glucose production, improves insulin sensitivity and rarely causes hypoglycemia on its own. Nausea, diarrhea and a metallic taste are common at first, so it is taken with meals, and long-term use can lower vitamin B12. Lactic acidosis is rare but serious; kidney impairment, hypoxia, heavy alcohol use and dehydration raise the risk. Check kidney function, and hold the drug as ordered around iodinated contrast studies, surgery or acute illness.

Also known as:

Metformin

In Turkish:

Biguanidler