Metformin

Metformin is an oral antihyperglycemic medication used primarily for type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood glucose chiefly by reducing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity.

Hepatic gluconeogenesis: The production of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors, chiefly in the liver. Metformin lowers blood glucose partly by limiting this source of circulating glucose.
Type 2 diabetes: A chronic metabolic disease involving insulin resistance and progressive impairment of insulin secretion. This is the principal condition for which metformin is prescribed.
Insulin: A pancreatic hormone that regulates blood glucose and promotes nutrient storage. Metformin changes glucose regulation while relying on the body’s existing insulin system.
Sulfonylurea: A class of diabetes medicines that lowers glucose by stimulating insulin release from pancreatic beta cells. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin usually does not cause hypoglycemia when used alone.
Galega officinalis: A flowering plant, also called goat’s rue, containing guanidine-related compounds. Its traditional use and active compounds helped inspire development of biguanide medicines.
AMP-activated protein kinase: A cellular energy-sensing enzyme that regulates metabolism in response to low energy availability. Metformin can influence this pathway, though it does not explain all of the drug’s effects.
Prediabetes: A metabolic state with blood glucose above normal but below diagnostic thresholds for diabetes. Metformin is sometimes used to reduce progression risk in people at especially high risk.
Glucose homeostasis: The physiological regulation of glucose concentration in blood and tissues. Metformin modifies several processes that jointly maintain glucose balance.
Insulin therapy: Treatment that supplies insulin to control blood glucose. Metformin improves glucose regulation without replacing insulin or directly forcing its release.
Guanidine: A nitrogen-rich chemical compound whose derivatives include several medicines and biological molecules. Guanidine-related compounds provided an early chemical lead for glucose-lowering drugs.

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