Phenformin is an anti-diabetic drug which belongs to the biguanide class of medications. It is used to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults and is used in combination with diet, exercise, and other medications. Phenformin works by lowering blood sugar levels by increasing insulin production and decreasing the production of glucose from the liver. It also increases the body's sensitivity to insulin, which helps the body use insulin more effectively. Side effects of this medication include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.
Phenformin was an anti-diabetic medication belonging to the biguanide class. While it functioned similarly to metformin, a common diabetes drug today, phenformin is no longer used due to safety concerns. Here's a breakdown of phenformin:
- Previous Use: Treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- Functioning: Worked by lowering glucose production in the liver, delaying intestinal glucose absorption, and improving the body's insulin sensitivity.
- Withdrawal: Taken off the market in the late 1970s due to a high risk of lactic acidosis, a serious and potentially fatal side effect.
Key Points to Remember:
- Phenformin is not a recommended treatment for diabetes.
- Safer and more effective medications like metformin are available.
- Lactic acidosis, a dangerous buildup of lactic acid in the blood, is the main reason for its withdrawal.