biguanide
drug
Quick Summary
Biguanides are a class of antidiabetic drugs used to manage diabetes mellitus. The primary member of this class is metformin. Biguanides work by lowering blood glucose levels, primarily by decreasing glucose production in the liver and enhancing insulin's action in muscle and fat tissues. While effective, a potential serious side effect of metformin is the accumulation of lactic acid in the body. These drugs are considered antihyperglycemic agents, meaning they help lower high blood sugar levels.12
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