Abstract
Metformin has been the cornerstone of the medical management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for over 6 decades now since its first-ever discovery. Although there were initial concerns about its efficacy and safety, increasing evidence over the years proved it to be very effective and safe. It has stood the test of time, proving to be much safer than other drugs in the same class and garnering robust evidence in cardiovascular safety. In patients with T2DM, metformin lowers mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels by 1.1–1.2% as monotherapy, by 0.6–0.83% as an add- on therapy to insulin, and by 0.9- 0.95% as add-on therapy to other oral agents. Recently its use has also been explored for unlicensed indications other than diabetes, including but not limited to obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and type 1 diabetes. Metformin is also currently under investigation for its role as a cancer adjuvant therapy. We aim to provide a comprehensive review of the available evidence for the safety and efficacy of metformin.
Keywords: Metformin, cardiovascular safety, type 2 diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), cancer.
Current Drug Safety
Title:Efficacy and Cardiovascular Safety of Metformin
Volume: 16 Issue: 2
Author(s): Ranjith K. Rajgopal and Rupinder S. Kochhar*
Affiliation:
- Department of Diabetes & Endocrinology, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Preston,United Kingdom
Keywords: Metformin, cardiovascular safety, type 2 diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), cancer.
Abstract: Metformin has been the cornerstone of the medical management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for over 6 decades now since its first-ever discovery. Although there were initial concerns about its efficacy and safety, increasing evidence over the years proved it to be very effective and safe. It has stood the test of time, proving to be much safer than other drugs in the same class and garnering robust evidence in cardiovascular safety. In patients with T2DM, metformin lowers mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels by 1.1–1.2% as monotherapy, by 0.6–0.83% as an add- on therapy to insulin, and by 0.9- 0.95% as add-on therapy to other oral agents. Recently its use has also been explored for unlicensed indications other than diabetes, including but not limited to obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and type 1 diabetes. Metformin is also currently under investigation for its role as a cancer adjuvant therapy. We aim to provide a comprehensive review of the available evidence for the safety and efficacy of metformin.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Rajgopal K. Ranjith and Kochhar S. Rupinder *, Efficacy and Cardiovascular Safety of Metformin, Current Drug Safety 2021; 16 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1574886315666210106142244
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1574886315666210106142244 |
Print ISSN 1574-8863 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3911 |
![Wayfinder Image](/images/wayfinder.jpg)
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Barriers to Achieving Optimal Glycemic Control in a Multi-Ethnic Society: A US Focus
Current Diabetes Reviews MicroRNA-7 Regulates Insulin Signaling Pathway by Targeting IRS1, IRS2, and RAF1 Genes in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
MicroRNA HHT: A Rare Disease with A Broad Spectrum of Clinical Aspects
Current Pharmaceutical Design Atherosclerosis is an Inflammatory Disorder After All
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Antimicrobial Peptides Present in Mammalian Skin and Gut are Multifunctional Defence Molecules
Current Pharmaceutical Design From Biomarkers to Cytokine-like Hormones: Uncovering New Directives for Cognitive Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Neurovascular Research Cholesterol Lowering Therapy: Treat to Target or Reduce the Global Risk? The Unresolved Problem of Residual Risk
Current Pharmaceutical Design Targeting Kinin Receptors for the Treatment of Neurological Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Pregnancy and Sleep Apnea
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Antiatherosclerotic and Cardioprotective Effects of Time-Released Garlic Powder Pills
Current Pharmaceutical Design Thresholds for Central Blood Pressures and Augmentation Indices - are They Needed and How Far are We in the Process of Their Definition?
Current Hypertension Reviews A Case of Intestinal Perforation Associated with Mesenteric Thrombosis Due to Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
Current Medical Imaging Clinical Use of Clopidogrel
Current Pharmaceutical Design Antihypertensive Effect of Sesamin
Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) Targeted Therapies for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Microcirculation Dysfunction: A Possible Mechanism Responsible for Reverse Redistribution in Myocardial Perfusion Imaging?
Current Medical Imaging Value of Carnitine Therapy in Kidney Dialysis Patients and Effects on Cardiac Function from Human and Animal Studies
Current Drug Targets A Pathogenetic Approach to Autoimmune Skin Disease Therapy: Psoriasis and Biological Drugs, Unresolved Issues, and Future Directions
Current Pharmaceutical Design Nitric Oxide, Malnutrition and Chronic Renal Failure
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Molecular Pathology of Pancreatic Cancer: From Bench-to-Bedside Translation
Current Drug Targets