]> 2013-05-25T17:12:59-07:00 Metformin taken from DrugBank uncurated http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00331 A biguanide hypoglycemic agent used in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus not responding to dietary modification. Metformin improves glycemic control by improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing intestinal absorption of glucose. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p289) Pharmacology: Metformin is an antihyperglycemic agent, which improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose. Metformin is not chemically or pharmacologically related to any other classes of oral antihyperglycemic agents. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin does not produce hypoglycemia in either patients with type 2 diabetes or normal subjects and does not cause hyperinsulinemia. With metformin therapy, insulin secretion remains unchanged while fasting insulin levels and daylong plasma insulin response may actually decrease. Mechanism of action: Metformin's pharmacologic mechanisms of action are different from other classes of oral antihyperglycemic agents. Metformin decreases hepatic glucose production, decreases intestinal absorption of glucose, and improves insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and utilization. Drug type: Approved. Small Molecule. Drug category: Hypoglycemic Agents CHEBI_6801 Metformin 2010-11-16T00:00:00 Molecule Metformin HCL metformin hydrochloride Apo-Metformin Fortamet Gen-Metformin Glucophage Glucophage XR Glycon Novo-Metformin Nu-Metformin Riomet Resource:Open Medicine Live Wiki Keywords Molecule Synonym SuperCategory 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase subunit beta-1 RelatedTo ModifiedDate Label Id Drug Has role Definition DefiningCitation Ab Curator CurationStatus Comment