Biguanides for Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes medication that prevents the liver from making more glucose
Written by Lisa M. Leontis RN, ANP-C and Kamiah A. Walker
Reviewed by Amy Hess-Fischl MS, RD, LDN, BC-ADM, CDE
Biguanides are another medication class used to treat type 2 diabetes.
How they work: Biguanides affect the liver—not the pancreas like sulfonylureas, repaglinide, and nateglinide. They keep the liver from making more glucose when you don’t need it, thereby keeping your blood glucose level in a better range.
Special notes: Biguanides seem to make you less hungry, so it may help you lose weight. They may cause stomach upset, so take it with meals.
Example of biguanides:
- Metformin (Glucophage) is a biguanide.
Last updated on 07/14/09
First published on 06/28/09
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