Diabetes mellitus is a health condition that has been causing grave mortality and morbidity for years. Before, this disease is treated by the use of insulin, but due to the advancement of medical science and research, more and more medications have emerged, one of which is the oral anti-diabetic drugs. Oral anti-diabetic drugs are primarily used to treat Type II Diabetes Mellitus, formerly known as Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. To treat this disease, Metformin or Glucophage is prescribed by doctors as it’s the drug of choice for type II diabetes mellitus.
Aside from treating Type II Diabetes Mellitus, the use of Glucophage is increasing as it’s believed to treat polycystic ovary syndrome, premature puberty, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. However, there are still no scientific basis on how exactly this drug works to address these health problems.
Glucophage is a biguanide anti-diabetic drug. The drug classification implies that it works to lower the blood sugar levels by suppressing glucose production of the liver. Aside from that, Glucophage increases insulin sensitivity, enhances peripheral glucose absorption, increases the oxidation of fatty acids, and decreases glucose uptake in the gastrointestinal tract.
While it is important to know the mechanism of the drug, being aware of its side effects is significant as well. Side effects of Glucophage are mainly focused on the gastrointestinal system. Such signs and symptoms manifest as diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, increased flatulence, and vomiting. These Glucophage side effects can be lessened by beginning at a low dose, and then gradually increasing the dosage. If gastric pain is felt on the first days of treatment, it may be a sign of lactic acidosis. Although this condition is very rare, lactic acidosis is considered as the most fatal side effect of Glucophage. Lactic acidosis is usually related to the user’s comorbid conditions like liver and kidney impairment, not to the usage of Glucophage itself. This occurs because Glucophage decreases lactate uptake by the liver, thus inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis in the process.
As mentioned above, an individual with kidney problems will be more susceptible to this condition because the kidney is unable to excrete Glucophage and lactate, leading to amplified levels of both. Other factors that cause lactic acidosis include alcoholism, respiratory disease, and heart failure. Despite the dangerous side effects, overdoses occur very rarely although the older people are more susceptible to it. The most common manifestations that are observed after overdose are abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), and sleepiness. Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia may manifest as well. Again, the most fatal complication of Glucophage overdose is lactic acidosis, which results from lactate accumulation.
As mentioned earlier, taking Glucophage while the patient has either kidney or liver problems is detrimental. Further research proves that lung and heart diseases increase the risk of developing lactic acidosis with Glucophage. However, according to scientific reviews, Glucophage is the only anti-diabetic drug that doesn’t pose a serious threat to the health of those who have heart failure and it may lessen mortality compared to other anti-diabetic medications.
Like any other medicines, therapeutic effects of glucophage and side effects occur together as drug regimen is started.
