Metformin || Just for Diabetics? 💊
As EMS providers, we treat patients prescribed metformin on a daily basis. Metformin is a common medication originally derived from goat’s rue (French lilac) and has been in use in the United States since approximately 1995. It is one of the most well-known diabetic medications on the market.
But is that all it treats?
Nope!
Let’s talk about some of the uses/possible benefits of metformin!
Diabetes/Pre-diabetes/Gestational diabetes: Metformin is an anti-hyperglycemic agent. Simply put, it brings the blood sugar down. It is especially beneficial in type 2 diabetic patients as they tend to have issues maintaining their blood sugar within normal, safe ranges. 💉
Weight Management: You may run into patients out in the field taking metformin strictly for long-term weight loss or weight maintenance. 💪🏻
PCOS Treatment: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common issue among women. Metformin may be used to improve fertility and tackle the insulin resistance commonly associated with this condition.
Cardiac health adjunct: There have been studies to suggest metformin could help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases through anti-inflammatory and glucose-regulating mechanisms. It is common to see a patient prescribed the trio of an antihypertensive agent, a statin drug and metformin. 🫀
Brain booster: There is research around metformin's potential to actually enhance cognitive function and slow the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. One could argue that this simply goes back to blood sugar regulation and anti-inflammatory effects. 🧠
Anti-aging hypothesis: Some studies are exploring whether metformin could have anti-aging effects! There is speculation that through blood sugar regulation and the promotion of insulin sensitivity, Metformin has life-extending properties and is responsible for an overall decrease of age-related diseases (cancer, dementia, etc.). Research is ongoing.
As providers, we must know to inquire about which condition or reason a patient is taking metformin to treat rather than assuming they have been diagnosed with diabetes.
⬇️ Sources ⬇️
👉🏻Kristófi R, Eriksson JW. Metformin as an anti-inflammatory agent: a short review. J Endocrinol. 2021 Sep 28;251(2):R11-R22. doi: 10.1530/JOE-21-0194. PMID: 34463292.
👉🏻Soukas AA, Hao H, Wu L. Metformin as Anti-Aging Therapy: Is It for Everyone? Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Oct;30(10):745-755. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2019.07.015. Epub 2019 Aug 9. PMID: 31405774; PMCID: PMC6779524.
👉🏻Hu D, Xie F, Xiao Y, Lu C, Zhong J, Huang D, Chen J, Wei J, Jiang Y, Zhong T. Metformin: A Potential Candidate for Targeting Aging Mechanisms. Aging Dis. 2021 Apr 1;12(2):480-493. doi: 10.14336/AD.2020.0702. PMID: 33815878; PMCID: PMC7990352.
👉🏻Lashen H. Role of metformin in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Jun;1(3):117-28. doi: 10.1177/2042018810380215. PMID: 23148156; PMCID: PMC3475283.