Prolonged-release metformin – new standard of medical care in type 2 diabetes mellitus
AbstractMetformin is a drug of choice in all existing recommendations of the management of type 2 diabetes today. The number of patients receiving metformin progressively increasing day by day. This article describes the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of metformin, metformin benefits of choosing as glucose-lowering therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, argues the use of metformin for the prevention of type 2 diabetes, the possibility of the use of metformin in patients with moderate impairment liver and kidney function. Recently, a new formulation extended release of the drug has developed. Metformin extended release twice reduces the risk of gastro-intestinal disorders and significantly improves patient compliance. The article presents the advantages and disadvantages of the use of longacting forms in comparison with metformin immediate release.
Keywords:type 2 diabetes mellitus, metformin, extended release metformin, metformin and cancer, pharmacokinetics of metformin
Endocrinology: News, Opinions, Training. 2015; (1): 19–26.