Metformin chemical structure
Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Fortamet

Metformin (Glucophage®, Fortamet®, Riomet®) is an anti-diabetic drug from the biguanide class (its other members are the withdrawn agents phenformin and buformin). more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
C
D
E
F
Captagon
Famohexal
Famotidine
Faslodex
Faslodex
Fasoracetam
Felbamate
Felbatol
Felodipine
Felypressin
Femara
Femara
Fempatch
Femring
Fenfluramine
Fenofibrate
Fentanyl
Fexofenadine
Filgrastim
Filipin
Finasteride
Fioricet
Fiorinal
Flagyl
Flarex
Flavoxate
Flecainide
Flexeril
Flomax
Flonase
Flovent
Floxuridine
Fluacizine
Flucloxacillin
Fluconazole
Flucytosine
Fludarabine
Fludrocortisone
Flumazenil
Flunisolide
Flunitrazepam
Fluocinonide
Fluohexal
Fluorometholone
Fluorouracil
Fluoxetine
Fluphenazine
Flurazepam
Flutamide
Fluticasone
Fluvastatin
Fluvoxamine
FML
Focalin
Folic acid
Follutein
Fomepizole
Formoterol
Fortamet
Fortovase
Fosamax
Fosinopril
Fosinoprilat
Fosmidomycin
Fosphenytoin
Frova
Frovatriptan
Frusehexal
Fulvestrant
Fumagillin
Furazolidone
Furosemide
Furoxone
Fusafungine
Fusidic acid
Fuzeon
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Uses

The main use for metformin is for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, especially when it is concomitant with obesity and insulin resistance.

It is also being used increasingly in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, two other diseases that feature insulin resistance; these indications are still considered experimental.

Metformin is the only anti-diabetic drug that has been proven to reduce the complications of diabetes, as evidenced in a large study of overweight patients with diabetes (UKPDS 1998).

Metformin is often prescribed to type 2 diabetes patients in combination with rosiglitazone maleate. This drug actively reduces insulin resistance, complementing the action of the metformin. In 2002, the two drugs were combined into a single product, Avandamet, marketed by GlaxoSmithKline. . In 2005, all current stock of Avandamet was seized by the FDA and removed from the market. This was due to problems at the manufacturing plants, not to any medical issues resulting from the drugs use. The drug pair continued to be prescribed separately in the absence of Avandamet itself, which was readily available by the end of that year.

Mechanism of action

Despite its therapeutic benefits, the mechanism of action of metformin is uncertain. Its mode of action appears to be reduction of hepatic gluconeogenesis; the "average" person with type 2 diabetes has three times the normal rate of gluconeogenesis. Metformin treatment reduces this by one third to two thirds. It is has been shown that metformin also decreases intestinal absorption of glucose. A third mechanism is that metformin improves insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and utilization. Zhou et al (2001) showed that metformin stimulates the hepatic enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase.

Side-effects

The most serious side effect of metformin is lactic acidosis. However, this complication is rare if the contra-indications are followed, as it seems limited to those with impaired liver and/or kidney function.

Phenformin was withdrawn because of an increased risk of lactic acidosis (up to 60 cases per million patient-years). In recent studies it was revealed that, as long as it is not prescribed to patients who are at risk, metformin is much safer, and the risk of lactic acidosis approximates that of people who are not on the medication (Salpeter SR et al 2003).

The most common side effect of metformin is gastrointestinal upset. This includes diarrhea, cramps, nausea and vomiting. In a clinical trial of 286 subjects, 53.2% of the 141 who were given Metformin IR (as opposed to placebo) reported diarrhea, and 25.5% reported nausea/vomiting (source: Drug Facts & Comparisons 2005).

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]



Andrx - approval for Fortamet - Brief Article
Andrx received an approvable letter from the FDA for its Fortamet (metformin extended-release) tablets, 500 mg and 1,000 rag. Fortamet is Andrx's second ...
Andrx Completes Divestiture of Fortamet and Altoprev to First Horizon Pharmaceutical Corporation
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Andrx Corporation (Nasdaq:ADRX) ("Andrx") today announced that it has completed its previously announced sale and ...
First Horizon Announces Agreement to Acquire Worldwide Rights to the Type 2 Diabetes Drug Fortamet and the Cholesterol Drug Altoprev from Andrx Corporation
ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- First Horizon Pharmaceutical Corporation (NASDAQ: FHRX), a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire U.S. right
Andrx to Divest Altoprev and Fortamet to First Horizon Pharmaceutical Corporation
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Andrx Corporation (Nasdaq:ADRX) ("Andrx") today announced that it has entered into agreements with First Horizon Pharmaceutical(TM) Corporation ("First Horiz
Brandless: Andrx reverses course and announces it is getting out of the brand name drug business to re-focus on generics
Pharmaceutical giant Andrx Corp. put the brakes on its attempt to develop and market brand name drugs after the unit it set up two years ago to lead ...
Andrx pulls plug on brands
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Andrx has decided to exit the branded business altogether after waiting some 14 months for the approval of Pfizer's Cardura ...
Andrx Receives FDA Approval of Fortamet; Also Plans to Market Altocor Under A New Name
Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2004 Andrx Corporation (Nasdaq:ADRX) ("Andrx") ...
Andrx and Takeda Collaborate on Combination Product of Actos and Fortamet
Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2004 Andrx Corporation, Fort Lauderdale, FL, ("Andrx"), (Nasdaq:ADRX) and Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay