Contents:
- Medical Video: Pharmacology - DRUGS FOR DIABETES (MADE EASY)
- The way biguanides work
- What are the side effects arising from the use of biguanides?
- Which must be considered
Medical Video: Pharmacology - DRUGS FOR DIABETES (MADE EASY)
Biguanide is a number of drugs for type 2 diabetes (taken by mouth) that prevent glucose production in the liver, increase your body's sensitivity to insulin, and reduce the amount of sugar absorbed by the intestine.
Metformin is a drug from the biguanide group. Usually, this drug is prescribed singly, but can also be combined with other drugs in one tablet, for example, metformin + pioglitazone (Competact), metformin + vildagliptin (Eucreas) and metformin + sitagliptin (Janumet). Sometimes used in combination with insulin for type 1 diabetics.
There are two types of metformin, namely:
- Metformin IR (immediate release), drink up to 3 times a day.
- Metformin SR (slow release), usually taken 1 time a day.
The way biguanides work
Biguanida works by preventing the liver from breaking down fats and amino acids into glucose. This drug reduces the amount of sugar produced by the liver, increases the amount of sugar absorbed by muscle cells, also activates enzymes (AMPK) to help the cells respond more effectively to insulin and absorb glucose from the blood.
Biguanide does not cause the pancreas to produce more insulin. You also will not experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or weight gain, unless you combine this drug with drugs that allow these things to happen. Chances are you will lose weight when using this drug.
What are the side effects arising from the use of biguanides?
Immediately call 112 or other emergency services if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Contact your doctor if you experience:
- Itchy
- Symptoms of lactic acidosis which include gasping for breath, excessive sweating, cold sweat or cold skin, bad breath, stomach ache, nausea or vomiting, and / or experiencing confusion
Common side effects of using this drug include:
- Temporary nausea and / or diarrhea
- Loss of appetite or appetite
- Bloated
- Taste the metallic taste on the tongue
As a monotherapy drug, biguanide does not cause hypoglycemia or weight gain. However, the risk of these side effects may increase if you use them with insulin or sulfonylureas.
Which must be considered
When you start using biguanide, the dosage is usually added gradually to prevent side effects. You can also reduce nausea by taking medication while eating.
Over time, vitamin B12 levels will decrease when you use biguanide. If you have been using this drug for several years or more, talk to your doctor for a vitamin B12 examination.
If you have kidney or liver failure, low oxygen levels in the blood, alcohol consumption, acute infection, or dehydration, then you will likely experience lactic acidosis. If you use biguanida while undergoing surgery or X-ray examinations that use coloring, you can also get lactic acidosis. Make sure the doctor knows that you are using this drug, if necessary, undergo an examination that involves the use of dyes or surgery. Chances are you have to temporarily stop using Biguanida.
If menstruation ends before you start using biguanida, you can menstruate again and get pregnant.
