Metformin: Biguanide

Metformin is the first-line medication for treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is very effective in lowering blood sugar due to it's triple mechanism of action. The main counseling point for side effects is GI upset, which can be very troublesome for patients. To avoid this effect, it's important that patients take it with food. Additionally, titrating the dose slowly over time (i.e. start at 500 mg daily x 1 week, then increase by 500 mg per week until at optimal dose of 2000 mg/day) and using the ER formulation can help. We pay close attention to patients renal function since lactic acidosis is a potential side effect.



Jarred Prudencio, PharmD - https://www.instagram.com/ambcarerx



#Metformin #Pharmacology #Mechanism #Diabetes