Metformin: Pros and Cons

Abstract

Metformin was approved for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in 1958 for UK, in 1972 for Canada and in 1995 by FDA in USA. Metformin is the drug of choice for patients who are obese and have type 2 diabetes mellitus. Though metformin was at first proven to treat hyperglycemia, many other uses of metformin are proven to be effective. It is also used for gestational diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyper secretion of ovarian androgen, poly-cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), anti-psychotic therapy induced weight gain, cancer treatment and anti-aging. Metformin causes a decrease in appetite thus known to act on obesity. The other action of metformin is reduction of circulating levels of insulin and insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) which is associated with anticancer action. There are ongoing researches about the effect of metformin on anti-aging properties and proved that metformin is linked with anti-aging factors. Three main factors that are related with aging are oxidation, glaciation and methylation. Metformin as all drugs, have unwanted effects as well. Many side effects of metformin are considered mild where lactic acidosis and vitamin B12 deficiency happens to be the major.

Pharmacological Approaches to Decelerate Aging: A Promising Path

“…Metformin can lower plasma glucose levels and reduce the amount of glucose absorbed by the body and the amount of glucose produced by the liver. Metformin also enhances tissue sensitivity to insulin [ 190 ]. The substantial role of metformin by numerous mechanisms in various illnesses has been reported [ 191 – 193 ].…”

Меtformin-associated maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with gestational diabetes — a retrospective cohort study

“…It is the first-line monotherapy for the treatment of T2DM [18]. Metformin does not enhance insulin secretion which is associated with a lower risk of hypoglycemia [19]. Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of metformin use for the prevention and treatment of GDM.…”