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Biguanide class of diabetes medicines control high sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. People use them together with proper meals and exercise. Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong medical problem. In this, a person’s body fails to use insulin normally. Thus, it fails to regulate the glucose circulating in the blood. Regulating high glucose levels prevents diabetes complications. These can be:
- kidney damage
- nerve problems
- blindness
- heart attack or stroke
- sexual function problems
- loss of limbs
Metformin is generally used as a single treatment (monotherapy). Also, it is available as a combination medicine with other diabetes drugs in a single tablet. For example:
- metformin + sitagliptin
- pioglitazone + metformin
- metformin + vildagliptin
Also, Metformin is present as a blend with insulin. Type 1 diabetics take this type of combination.
How Do Biguanides Exert Their Action?
Biguanides are oral antidiabetic medications. They exert their action by:
- preventing glucose production in the liver, as stated by the NIH
- improving the insulin sensitivity of the body and
- reducing glucose absorption by the intestines.
Moreover, biguanides activate the enzyme (AMPK). This enzyme increases the sensitivity to insulin. It assists cells in reacting more efficiently to insulin and utilising more glucose as energy. As a result, the glucose concentration in the bloodstream is lowered.
Read More: Zomelis Met 50mg/500mg Tablet
Uses of Biguanides
Metformin is the only available biguanide drug. Its common use is as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Biguanides are not helpful in treating insulin-dependent or type 1 diabetes. It is a health problem in which the body fails to form insulin. Biguanides are also not useful to treat diabetic ketoacidosis. In this, ketones rise in the blood or urine.
The ADA proposes certain instructions for people with certain high-risk factors, such as:
- cardiovascular problems
- kidney issues
These instructions are as follows: they must begin consuming metformin with an extra therapy (with proven cardiovascular disease benefit) to assist in improving their outcomes.
Off-Label Uses
Metformin might rarely be recommended off-label for:
- type 1 diabetes
- overweight, and
- polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Also, the medicine is under investigation for its potential cancer-fighting and cardioprotective benefits.
Read More: Metformin Side Effects: Common, Severe and Long Term
Dosage of Biguanides
People take Metformin in the doses of 500 mg to 2550 mg a day. A healthcare provider begins a person’s prescription at a low dose. Slowly, doctors increase the dose as per the person’s body’s needs. Based on the form, they take Metformin once to three times daily.
Metformin is an oral medicine for use as a tablet or liquid. Inhaled forms also come in the market. Carefully follow all the guidelines regarding the safe use of every product. Store the medicine at room temperature. Take meals with Metformin in order to prevent side effects. If a person forgets a dose, they must take the next dose rather than doubling that up.
Summary
Biguanides come in various forms, namely, liquid and tablet: extended-release. People take this liquid in combination with meals 1-2 times a day. Take the regular tablet with meals 2 or 3 times a day. Also, take ER tablets once every day with meals. Biguanides might be recommended as a single treatment or with other diabetes medicines like pills and insulin.
Medicines in this class
As stated, Metformin is the only biguanide on the market. Yet, there are 2 different versions of the medicine;
- Metformin IR (immediate-release): People take this generally three times a day
- Metformin SR (slow release): Take it one time a day
The brand name of Metformin IR is Glucophage. The trade name for metformin PR is Glucophage SR.
Summary
Biguanides act by preventing the liver from changing fats and amino acids to glucose. Also, these medicines activate an enzyme (AMPK). It helps cells to react to insulin and take in glucose from the blood.
Read More: Glycomet Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Precautions, Side Effects
Health Benefits of Biguanides
Lowers down the risk of heart problems
According to BioMed Central, biguanides help reduce the risk of heart disease. As, it aids in reducing the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood.
Biguanides are not likely to result in low blood glucose
As a single drug, biguanides are not likely to result in low blood sugars.
Possible weight loss
According to the National Institutes of Health, Biguanides might assist in weight loss. Even if it is not a weight-loss drug, research does not show a significant impact on weight loss.
Summary
Metformin lowers the liver’s blood sugar-raising effect. The medicine also helps to reduce sugar levels all over the day. Metformin also increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin. And, thus, it has benefits for weight loss.
Read More: Glimepiride Tablets(Amaryl) Uses, Doses and Side Effects
Possible Side Effects of Biguanides
Lack of vitamins
Chronic usage of this medicine relates to vitamin B12 deficiency in the body.
Gastrointestinal intolerance
Common ill effects, particularly while starting its use, can be:
- vomiting
- nausea
- bloating
- loose stools
- abdominal uneasiness.
Lactic acid accumulation
According to the WebMD, biguanides like metformin have side effects like lactic acidosis. This category of drugs gets eliminated from the body via the kidneys. Also, in the absence of kidney function, high amounts start moving in the body. When the level of biguanides becomes high in the body, it might cause lactic acidosis. Also, the incidence of this complication is very rare. Discuss this risk with a healthcare provider. If healthcare provider has recommended a biguanide, speak to them. A healthcare provider may answer all these questions and work with them. This helps in managing any side effects.
Summary
As a single medicine, metformin consumers are not likely to experience hypoglycemia or weight gain. Yet, the risk of such side effects is enhanced if Metformin is taken with insulin or sulphonylurea.
Read More: Pioglitazone Tablet – Uses, Side Effects and Dosage
Interactions with Biguanides
When 2 or more medicines are taken in combination, their work might get changed. And, the risk of ill effects also increases. This is termed as Drug Interaction.
Other medications
Medications that interact with biguanides may include:
- corticosteroids
- oral contraceptives
- estrogens
- phenothiazines
- thyroid medications
- anticonvulsants such as phenytoin
- drugs for rectifying vitamin B deficiency.
While interacting with these medicines, biguanides fail to control blood sugar levels. Proper monitoring of glucose levels is necessary in such patients.
Safety Precautions While Taking Biguanides
Serious Conditions of Vomiting, Diarrhea, or Fever
Individuals with severe conditions of vomiting, diarrhea, or fever may suffer from dehydration. They may suffer from a severe water loss in the body. Stop the use of biguanides for a shorter time duration. Also, consult with a doctor about this.
Alcohol Consumption
Too much alcohol may result in the accumulation of lactic acid in the body. The condition is lactic acidosis. Hence, individuals should not have alcohol while taking biguanides.
Iodinated Contrast Agents
The use of iv iodinated contrast agents may enhance the building up of lactate in the body. This lessens the working of the kidneys. Stop using biguanides prior to or at the time of treatment with these agents for 48 hours. Recommend the usage of biguanides if kidney functioning becomes stable.
Elderly Patients
Proper kidney monitoring is important in elderly patients. Avoid giving biguanides to elderly patients.
Surgery
Patients under anaesthesia at the time of surgical procedures are at high risk of biguanides. They must stop its use while going through surgery for at least 48 hours. Recommence its use after the restitution of oral nutrition. Also, when the kidney working becomes stable, a person can take it.
Heart Failure
Patients experiencing heart failure are at high risk while on biguanides. These patients are at an increased risk of low oxygen levels in the blood. Also, an irregular kidney is working. A low oxygen level in the blood is hypoxemia. In people having chronic heart failure, good monitoring of the heart and kidney is vital. The use of biguanides is not safe for people with unstable heart failure.
FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)
Biguanides are anti-diabetes medicines useful for type 2 diabetics. This medicine prevents glucose production in the liver. It improves the body’s sensitivity towards insulin. Also, biguanides lowers down the amount of sugar absorbed by the intestines.
The disinfectants chlorhexidine, polihexanide, polyaminopropyl biguanide (PAPB), and alexidine belong to biguanide groups.
Polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) is an extensively used biocide for several applications. It is useful as a disinfectant in:
-swimming pools
-food industry
-hospitals as an antiseptic agent for curing wound infections.
Biguanides do not enhance plasma insulin concentrations. Also, these medicines do not cause serious hypoglycemia. As a result, they are known as antihyperglycemic (instead of hypoglycemic) drugs.
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