Metformin and vascular smooth muscle cells Recent animal studies have shown that metformin can reduce the formation of calcification in VSMCs in atherosclerotic plaque through the activation of the AMPK pathway [17, 53]. Therefore, metformin may play an anti-atherosclerotic role through AMPK-mediated VSMCs regulation.
Many antihyperglycemic drugs can increase the risk of heart failure. However, it is commonly believed that metformin - the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes - reduces the risk of and improves the clinical course of heart failure. It is estimated that 20-25% of patients taking metformin have heart failure.
Metformin can significantly reduce mortality and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events, that means metformin can be used as a cardiovascular protective agent to prolong life and reduce mortality.
Metformin may have an adverse effect on renal function in patients with type 2 DM and moderate CKD.
Long-term side effects
Taking metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency if you take it for a long time. This can make you feel very tired, breathless and faint, so your doctor may check the vitamin B12 level in your blood. If your vitamin B12 levels become too low, vitamin B12 supplements will help.
How long to take it for. Treatment for diabetes is usually for life. But if your kidneys are not working properly, your doctor will tell you to stop taking metformin and switch you to a different medicine. Do not stop taking metformin without talking to your doctor.
But if you can't tolerate metformin or it's not doing enough to help you reach your diabetes goals, you may need an alternative. If you also have heart or kidney disease, GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic (semaglutide) or SGLT2 inhibitors like Jardiance (empagliflozin) are good alternatives.
A total cholesterol reduction by using metformin was observed in almost all the studies. The only study that showed an increment in the cholesterol level was the study conducted by Gillani et al. [14] The highest difference was shown in the study conducted by Kooy et al. [16] with the difference of −2.91 mmol/L.
Metformin improves glucose and triglyceride metabolism and regulates cholesterol metabolism in both diabetic and nondiabetic individuals.
Metformin may rarely cause a serious, life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take metformin.
In conclusion, it was found that in these participants metformin acts in insulin resistance; it increases glucose muscle uptake and blood flow.
Metformin protects against cardiac and renal damage in diabetic cardiac arrest patients.
Metformin is a common prescription drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. It can help lower blood sugar and HbA1c levels and is used to help manage weight. It's best to avoid saturated fats, excess alcohol consumption, too much sodium, refined carbohydrates, and processed and added sugars while taking it.
If you stop taking metformin abruptly, your health may suffer. You may experience side effects such as higher blood sugars, an increased A1c, and even weight gain. Over time, higher blood sugar levels can lead to diabetes complications, including: Retinopathy and blindness.
Metformin is a first-choice medication to help manage blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes, but it's used in other situations too, like prediabetes. It lessens sugar absorption and production, and it makes your body more sensitive to insulin. This helps lower the amount of sugar in your blood.
Making positive lifestyle changes such as eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly and getting down to a healthy weight (and maintaining it) are the key to possibly reversing or managing type 2 diabetes.
Speak to a doctor before stopping metformin or any other antidiabetic medication. A person can stop using this drug safely if they are able to manage their type 2 diabetes effectively through sustainable lifestyle changes.
Most experts consider metformin to be the safest medicine for type 2 diabetes because it has been used for many decades, is effective, affordable, and safe.
The current drug labeling strongly recommends against metformin use in some patients whose kidneys do not work normally because use of metformin in these patients can increase the risk of developing a serious and potentially deadly condition called lactic acidosis, in which too much lactic acid builds up in the blood.
Metformin has a black box warning for lactic acidosis — a condition where too much lactic acid builds up in the blood. It's a serious problem and can lead to death. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical attention right away.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) also recommends metformin for some people with prediabetes. Generally, if you're prescribed metformin, you'll be on it long term. That could be many decades, unless you experience complications or changes to your health that require you to stop taking it.