File:Metformin.svg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
metformin
Sign in to saveAlso known as LA-6023, 1-carbamimidamido-N,N-dimethylmethanimidamide, DMBG, XLA399, 1,1-dimethylbiguanide, 1,1-dimethyl biguanide, dimethylbiguanide, N,N-dimethylbiguanide
Metformin, sold under the brand name Glucophage, among others, is the main first-line medication for the treatment of type2 diabetes, particularly in people who are overweight. It is also used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome, and is sometimes used as an off-label adjunct to lessen the risk of metabolic syndrome in people who take antipsychotic medication. It has been shown to inhibit inflammation, and is not associated with weight gain. Metformin is taken by mouth.
Metformin is a widely prescribed oral medication primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, especially in people who are overweight, and it's also used for other conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome. It matters because it helps control blood sugar, doesn't cause weight gain, and has anti-inflammatory effects, making it a foundational treatment in diabetes management.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Drug.ChemSpiderID2
- 13583
- Drug.UNII
- 9100L32L2N
- Drug.image
- Metformin.svg
- Drug.image_class
- skin-invert-image
- Drug.image2
- Metformin-from-xtal-3D-balls.png
- Drug.image_class2
- bg-transparent
- Drug.pronounce
- ,
- Drug.tradename
- Glucophage, others
- Drug.MedlinePlus
- a696005
- Drug.DailyMedID
- Metformin
- Drug.pregnancy_AU
- C
- Drug.routes_of_administration
- By mouth
- Drug.class
- Antidiabetic agent
- Drug.ATC_prefix
- A10
- Drug.ATC_suffix
- BA02
- Drug.ATC_supplemental
- Combinations:
- Drug.legal_AU
- S4
- Drug.legal_CA
- Rx-only
via Wikipedia infobox
Chemical data
- Formula
- C4H11N5
- Molecular weight
- 129.16 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 2-carbamimidoyl-1,1-dimethylguanidine
- SMILES
- CN(C)C(=NC(=N)N)N
- InChIKey
- XZWYZXLIPXDOLR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- XLogP
- -1.3
- Polar surface area
- 91.5 Ų
- H-bond donors
- 3
- H-bond acceptors
- 1
- Formal charge
- 0
via PubChem
Research
37,298 papers- Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Metformin Action.ReviewEndocrine reviews · 2021LaMoia TE, Shulman GIDOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnaa023
- Metformin decelerates aging clock in male monkeys.Cell · 2024Yang Y, Lu X, Liu N et al.DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.08.021
- Metformin: Mechanisms in Human Obesity and Weight Loss.ReviewCurrent obesity reports · 2019Yerevanian A, Soukas AADOI: 10.1007/s13679-019-00335-3
- Metformin--mode of action and clinical implications for diabetes and cancer.ReviewNature reviews. Endocrinology · 2014Pernicova I, Korbonits MDOI: 10.1038/nrendo.2013.256
- Metformin: A Review of Potential Mechanism and Therapeutic Utility Beyond Diabetes.ReviewDrug design, development and therapy · 2023Dutta S, Shah RB, Singhal S et al.DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S409373
- Metformin: from mechanisms of action to therapies.ReviewCell metabolism · 2014Foretz M, Guigas B, Bertrand L et al.DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2014.09.018
- Benefits of Metformin in Attenuating the Hallmarks of Aging.ReviewCell metabolism · 2020Kulkarni AS, Gubbi S, Barzilai NDOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2020.04.001
- Metformin: historical overview.Diabetologia · 2017Bailey CJDOI: 10.1007/s00125-017-4318-z
via PubMed
Wikidata facts
- Mass
- 129.101445
Show 8 more facts
- Commons category
- Metformin
- chemical formula
- C₄H₁₁N₅
- World Health Organisation international non-proprietary name
- metformin
- canonical SMILES
- CN(C)C(=N)N=C(N)N
- defined daily dose
- 2.0
- isomeric SMILES
- [H]/N=C(/N)\N/C(=N\[H])/N(C)C
- stylized name
- metFORMIN
Sources (10)
via Wikidata · CC0
~36 min read
Article
41 sectionsContents
- Medical uses
- Type 2 diabetes
- Efficacy
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Diabetes and pregnancy
- Weight change
- Use with insulin
- Contraindications
- Adverse effects
- Gastrointestinal
- Vitamin B<sub>12</sub>
- Lactic acidosis
- Overdose
- Interactions
- Pharmacology
- Mechanism of action
- Pharmacokinetics
- Chemistry
- Impurities
- History
- Society and culture
- Environmental impact
- Formulations
- Combination with other medications
- [[Thiazolidinedione]]s (TZDs; glitazones)
- Rosiglitazone
- Pioglitazone
- DPP-4 inhibitors
- SGLT2 inhibitors
- Sulfonylureas
- Meglitinide
- Triple combination
- Research
- Aging and life extension
- Cancer
- COVID-19
- Neurological and neurodegenerative disorders
- Derivatives
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Metformin, sold under the brand name Glucophage, among others, is the main first-line medication for the treatment of type2 diabetes, particularly in people who are overweight. It is also used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome, and is sometimes used as an off-label adjunct to lessen the risk of metabolic syndrome in people who take antipsychotic medication. It has been shown to inhibit inflammation, and is not associated with weight gain. Metformin is taken by mouth.
Metformin is generally well tolerated. Common adverse effects include diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. It has a small risk of causing low blood sugar. High blood lactic acid level (acidosis) is a concern if the medication is used in overly large doses or prescribed to people with severe kidney problems.