Metformin may improve insulin use and help prevent age-related onset diabetes. It may increase the sensitivity of peripheral tissues (like muscles) to the effects of insulin, restoring the effects of glucose and insulin to younger physiological levels. Metformin may also be a useful dieting aid as it acts to stabilize sugar levels, thus preventing sugar highs and lows and sugar cravings. In addition, a recent study has found that metformin significantly reduces the risk of spontaneous abortion in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) when administered during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Metformin’s anti-aging benefits may also include decreasing risk of age-related adultonset diabetes, prevention of sugar cravings, improved body composition with improved insulin use, stabilization of sugar levels and slowing of the effects of diabetes. Research published in April 2001 suggests that metformin may also be useful in preventing pancreatic cancer in obese people. Furthermore, results of research published in 2002 suggest that the drug may act as an antioxidant, and could also help to improve the recovery of the heart after minor ischemic incidents.

Side effects in healthy aging individuals are rare but may include nausea, loss of appetite, and very rarely, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea. Patients with diabetes type I and II sometimes take doses as high as 3 grams a day, in which case side effects may include hypoglycemia or lactic acidosis. Use of metformin is contraindicated when combined with Thiazide, Cimetidine, diuretics or other anti-hypertensive products, which could cause renal malfunctioning. It is also contraindicated in individuals with ketonuria, serious hepatic and renal disorders, serious cardiovascular problems, serious respiratory problems, suprarenal insufficiency, chronic alcoholism, serious dystrophic illness, acute hemorrhaging, gangrene, diabetes with previous episodes of lactic acidosis, or hypersensitivity to metformin.

Note: Because metformin may cause the malabsorption of vitamin B12, patients should supplement their diets liberally with vitamin B12.

Synonyms: La-6023 (Metformin)

Chemical Name:1,1 Dimethylbiguanide hydrochloride

Molecular Formula: C(4)H(11)N(5),HCL

Molecular Weight: 165.6

Distribution: Metformin is supplied in 250mg, 500mg, and 850mg tablets under the trade names Devian, Dextin, Diaberit, Diabetex, Diabetosan, Diabex, Diaformin, Glucamet, Glucophage, Glucophate, Mediabet, Mesorit, Metforal, Metiguanide and Orabet.