The most commonly prescribed oral drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, Glucophage was the original brand name of metformin (first approved in 1994), now available as a generic. It is most often used in overweight and obese patients, and works by suppressing the liver’s glucose production and by increasing insulin sensitivity in the liver, fat, muscle and other tissues. It has been shown to prevent cardiovascular disease that often accompanies diabetes, and reduces LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It also lowers the risk of blindness and kidney disease. Metformin, along with glibenclamide, were the two oral diabetes medicines listed in the World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines for 2010. Unlike glyburide (which also lowers glucose, in the sulfonylurea class of drugs for diabetes), Glucophage (metformin) does not increase insulin levels in the blood, so it doesn’t have the risk of hypoglycemia.
Glucophage, Diabetes and Side Effects
During the treatment of diabetes, Glucophage (metformin) may cause the following side effects: gas, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. These are the most common, occurring in one of every three patients. Lactic acidosis, though rare, is very serious and may be fatal. Symptoms include weakness or drowsiness, stomach discomfort, unusual muscle pain, difficulty in breathing, and being cold or light-headed. Those with kidney or liver disorders, severe illness, dehydration, and congestive heart failure are at the greatest risk. In fact, people with any of those conditions should not take metformin to treat their diabetes. Glucophage (metformin) should not be used by patients who develop a heart attack, severe infection or stroke, drink a lot of alcohol, are about to have surgery, or are 80 years or older who have not had their kidneys tested. Metformin side effects for women who are pregnant or nursing are not fully known, so it is advised that they use insulin instead.
Glucophage Alternatives: Other Ways To Lower Blood Sugar
Even when medicines are prescribed for the treatment of diabetes, Glucophage and other drugs are meant to be part of a treatment plan that includes at its core diet and exercise. It has been proven that cutting harmful fats, sugars and starches from one’s meals and focusing on wholesome foods such as vegetables, fruit, and whole grains, goes a long way in weight loss and lowering blood sugar levels. A study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that in high risk people, lifestyle changes are more effective than metformin in preventing or delaying the onset of full-blown diabetes [http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/news/docs/dpp.htm]. There are natural substances available as dietary supplements, used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine for centuries, which help lower blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity (e.g. gymnema sylvestre, mulberry leaves, and bitter melon).
