Use of metformin in cardiac diabetic patients: benefit-risk balance

Metformin is considered the first choice of medication in the treatment of type ii diabetes. However, many patients have an official contraindication to its use due to a theoretical risk of lactic acidosis. Recent observations suggest that patients with type 2 diabetes, considered to be “at risk”, particularly those with cardiac pathology, benefit from treatment with metformin, with evidence of reduced blood pressure. Morbidity and mortality compared with other antihyperglycemic agents. This review analyzes the benefit-risk balance of treatment with metformin in diabetic patients with stable coronary insufficiency, acute coronary syndrome or myocardial infarction, or even heart failure.

How metformin works

It acts mainly on the liver, where it inhibits the production of glucose (= sugar). It has the benefit of also dropping the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides, these bad fats which increase the risk of cardiovascular accident. So you can kill two birds with one stone!

• What to know if you are taking metformin:
• It does not cause hypoglycaemia;

It is rather well tolerated but its main side effects are digestive disorders (diarrhea, nausea). A tip: take the tablet instead in the middle or end of a meal. These effects will usually subside after a few days of treatment.

Metformin is available as a tablet or powder for oral solution and also in combination with another diabetes medicine for people for whom metformin alone is not sufficient. Get the details at ukmeds.co.uk

Nevertheless, taking this medicine with not following additional healthy habits might not cause weight loss. Those who eat a healthy diet as well as exercise at the time of taking metformin be inclined to lose additional weightw. If you don’t exercise, probably you won’t have this additional benefit.

Also, any weight loss you get can only last as long as you take the drug. And even at the time you are taking still the medication, it is possible to slowly regain the pounds you have lost with no correct diet and exercise.