Is metformin a wonder drug?

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Why some pharmaceuticals are referred to as

Aspirin has been dubbed a "wonder drug" because of its ability to relieve pain, treat or prevent cardiovascular disease, and even prevent cancer. Is it possible that metformin will be included in this list? It is approved in the United States for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in people aged 10 and above when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. However, in recent years, there has been increased interest in its ability to prevent or treat a range of different diseases.

What is metformin and how does it work?

Metformin has a long history dating back hundreds of years. Galega officinalis was a prominent medical herb in Europe for digestive health, urinary difficulties, and other diseases. Then, in 1918, a scientist discovered that guanidine, one of the components, might help lower blood sugar levels. Diabetes is treated with guanidine-containing medications such as metformin and phenformin. However, they went out of favour as a result of phenformin's severe side effects and the discovery of insulin.

The benefits of metformin may extend far beyond diabetes

Metformin has cardiovascular benefits for them, such as lower chances of death from cardiovascular disease. It can also assist persons with diabetes in losing weight. Even if you don't have diabetes, metformin may be beneficial to your health. Doctors have long administered it off-label, or for purposes other than those for which it was approved, such as: -prediabetes -gestational diabetes -PCOS -Weight gain from antipsychotic medications

What about the negative consequences?

Metformin has a favorable safety profile. Nausea, stomach discomfort, and diarrhea are common side effects, but they are usually minor. Serious negative effects are uncommon. Severe allergic reactions and lactic acidosis (a buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream) are among them. Because the danger of this is larger in persons who have severe kidney disease, doctors avoid recommending metformin to them.

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