Properties
Metformin, the active ingredient of Glyformin® is a biguanide with antihyperglycaemic effects, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose. It does not stimulate insulin secretion and therefore does not produce hypoglycaemia. Gastrointestinal absorption of metformin is incomplete, 20-30% of an oral dose being recoveredin the faeces. Following oral administration, the bioavailability of the drug is 50-60%. Its mean plasma elimination half-life ranges from 1.5 to 4.5 hours, but may be prolonged in patients with renal insuffeciency.
Indications
Glyformin® is indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, particularly in overweight patients, when dietary management and exercise alone does not result in adequate glycaemic control. Glyformin® may be used as monotherapy or in combination with other oral antidiabetic agents or with insulin.
Dosage
Adults: the initial dosage is one tablet of 500mg two or three times daily, or one tablet of 850mg twice daily given during or after meals. After 10 to 15 days the dose should be adjusted on the basis of blood glucose measurements. A slow increase in dose may improve gastrointestinal tolerability. The maximum recommended dose is 3 g daily.
Children: Glyformin® should not be used in children.
Side-effects
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and loss of appetite are very common, especially during initiation of therapy. Erythema and lactic acidosis are very rare.