FOCUS ON METFORMIN - A NEW BIGUANIDE ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AGENT

Metformin hydrochloride is a new biguanide antihyperglycemic agent app roved for use as an adjunct to diet in patients with non-insulin-depen dent diabetes mellitus. Clinical trials have shown metformin to have t he same glucose-lowering effect as sulfonylurea agents. Advantages of metformin over currently available oral diabetes medications include l ack of weight gain and lack of development of hypoglycemia. An improve d. glucose profile also may be achieved when metformin is added to max imal sulfonylurea therapy. Mild and transient gastrointestinal adverse effects are most frequent; however, these can be minimized by taking the dose with meals and by increasing the dose gradually. The most ser ious, but rare, adverse effect is lactic acidosis.