Metformin
Medication used to treat diabetes / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Metformin?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Metformin, sold under the brand name Glucophage, among others, is the main first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes,[13][14][15][16] particularly in people who are overweight.[14] It is also used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.[15] It is sometimes used as an off-label adjunct to lessen the risk of metabolic syndrome in people who take antipsychotics.[17] Metformin is not associated with weight gain[18] and is taken by mouth.[15]
Clinical data | |
---|---|
Pronunciation | /mɛtˈfɔːrmɪn/, met-FOR-min |
Trade names | Glucophage, others |
Other names | N,N-dimethylbiguanide[1] |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a696005 |
License data | |
Pregnancy category |
|
Routes of administration | By mouth |
Drug class | Antidiabetic agent |
ATC code |
|
Legal status | |
Legal status | |
Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | 50–60%[10][11] |
Protein binding | Minimal[10] |
Metabolism | Not by liver[10] |
Elimination half-life | 4–8.7 hours[10] |
Excretion | Urine (90%)[10] |
Identifiers | |
| |
CAS Number | |
PubChem CID | |
IUPHAR/BPS | |
DrugBank |
|
ChemSpider | |
UNII |
|
KEGG | |
ChEBI |
|
ChEMBL |
|
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.010.472 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C4H11N5 |
Molar mass | 129.167 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
Density | 1.3±0.1[12] g/cm3 |
| |
|
Metformin is generally well tolerated.[19] Common adverse effects include diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.[15] It has a small risk of causing low blood sugar.[15] High blood lactic acid level (acidosis) is a concern if the medication is used in overly large doses or prescribed in people with severe kidney problems.[20][21] It also inhibits inflammation.[22][23]
Metformin is a biguanide anti-hyperglycemic agent.[15] It works by decreasing glucose production in the liver, increasing the insulin sensitivity of body tissues,[15] and increasing GDF15 secretion, which reduces appetite and caloric intake.[24][25][26][27]
Metformin was first described in scientific literature in 1922 by Emil Werner and James Bell.[28] French physician Jean Sterne began the study in humans in the 1950s.[28] It was introduced as a medication in France in 1957. [15][29] Metformin is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines,[30] and is the most widely used medication for diabetes taken by mouth.[28] It is available as a generic medication.[15] In 2021, it was the second most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 91 million prescriptions.[31][32]