Metformin (medication): Uses, Side Effects And Information
Diabetes is the ninth global cause of death and currently has no cure. It is estimated that currently 1 in 11 adults worldwide suffer from diabetes, a number that will reach 590 million affected by 2035. Of all of them, more than 85% suffer from type 2 diabetes.
Metformin is the most prescribed medication to treat type 2 diabetes which occurs because the body is not producing enough insulin and/or has developed tolerance to the effects of insulin, due to constant exposure to high levels of it.
In this article we will discuss what metformin is, how and why it is used, as well as its possible side effects derived from its consumption.
Metformin is an antidiabetic medication used to lower blood glucose levels. It belongs to the biguanide family, medications derived from the Galega officinalis plant, whose anti-glycemic properties have been known since the beginning of the 20th century.
Despite the usefulness of biguanides, Its use as a diabetes medication was initially put on the back burner due to the marketing of insulin It was introduced in France in 1957 and approved for medical use in the US in 1995. It is currently the most widely used medication in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
How does it work?
Metformin lowers blood glucose levels. Although the exact mechanism of how metformin works is still unclear, we know that this blood glucose-lowering effect occurs through:
These mechanisms cause a clear decrease in hyperglycemic levels in patients who take it without increasing insulin production or increasing the weight of the patients who take it, the latter being a common effect of other medications used to treat diabetes.
Applications
Currently, as we have mentioned, metformin is mainly used to treat type 2 diabetes. Even so, there are medical professionals who prescribe it to stop obesity in patients, whether or not they are diabetic. This use of metformin is controversial, due to the side effects that this medication can generate.
It is consumed orally, and must be taken with meals to minimize side effects such as:
Daily doses of metformin greater than 2g should be avoided When starting treatment, it is recommended to start with the lowest possible doses and gradually increase them according to the patient’s needs.
Side effects
There are several side effects of metformin, some of them very serious although their incidence is rare. Grouped according to their rarity, they would be:
1. Very common side effects
We would find the aforementioned side effects that decrease as our body gets used to the treatment and we take the daily dose in conjunction with meals. Again, these would be vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain.
2. Frequent side effects
One in ten people who take metformin will experience changes in their sense of taste during treatment with this medication.
3. Rare side effects
It is estimated that 1 in 10,000 people under treatment with metformin may have their liver function altered, whose main visible symptom is the yellow hue of the skin and/or eyes. Also in this range we would find skin rashes, with redness or itching.
As rare but serious side effects, we would find lactic acidosis – an increase in lactic acid in the blood that is potentially lethal if untreated – as well as a drastic decrease in the levels of vitamin B12, necessary for the proper functioning of the body. nervous system.
The main initial symptoms of lactic acidosis are not specific, but are usually unexplained fatigue and muscle weakness, as well as severe cramps. Those people with decreased kidney function are at special risk of suffering from lactic acidosis, for whom the use of metformin is not recommended due to the inherent risk of suffering from lactic acidosis.
On the other hand, decreased levels of vitamin B12 cause a multitude of symptoms if this deficiency is severe. We would find cases of depression, personality disorders, memory problems, gastrointestinal problems, muscle weakness and vision loss.
Additionally, although it has not yet been conclusively proven and more research is needed to confirm or deny this fact, the ability of metformin to increase the risk of heart attacks in people who take it is being studied.
Contraindications
Taking metformin is not indicated for people with liver or kidney problems, or those suffering from serious infections or diseases related to reduced oxygen supply, for example cardiac. On the other hand, dehydration and consumption of alcohol in large quantities can increase the risk of suffering from lactic acidosis.
Although metformin does not cause hypoglycemia on its own, if it is taken in conjunction with other medications for the treatment of diabetes, we run the risk of hypoglycemia, which is too low blood sugar levels. Hypoglycemia manifests itself with weakness, dizziness, sweating, increased heart rate, and vision and concentration disorders.
