Metformin is an effective oral medication that can be used to help control insulin levels in Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes, but not for Type 1. It can be used for women with gestational diabetes however, despite worries over some side effects likenausea—in 25%(a nice addition to morning sickness, no doubt) and common diarrhea in 50% of users. Sacrificing a high level of comfort during pregnancy will be the first of many sacrifices a mother could make, so to prevent the raised risk of obesity for newborns whose moms suffere gestational diabetes.

Metformin slows the creation of glucose in the liver. Essentially, the liver keeps glucose shelved and releases it for immediate stimulation whenever the body is feeling stressed—for a shot of energy! It also multi-tasks by making the body more responsive to insulin. What’s more, it decrease’s intestines’ absorption of carbohydrates, which are notably high in sugar. Metformin is a generic brand of the drug Glucophage, which has been used in Europe for nearly 30 years but was only ok’ed by the FDA for U.S. distribution in 1995. With a few years on it, it certainly must be effective—but is it now outdated by other more innovative Type 2 medications?

Get all the info you want on Metformin and how it stacks up to newer Type 2 Diabetes medications. Learn more about different types of insulin as well—for instance, what’s the effectiveness of inhaled insulin? Call the number listed on this screen or click on our contact form today for more!