Glyformet Mechanism of Action

Oral Hypoglycemic (Biguanide).
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Metformin is an antihyperglycemic agent, which improves glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose. Its pharmacologic mechanisms of action are different from other classes of oral antihyperglycemic agents. Metformin decreases hepatic glucose production, decreases intestinal absorption of glucose, and improves insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and utilization. Unlike sulfonylureas, metformin does not produce hypoglycemia in either patients with type 2 diabetes or normal subjects and does not cause hyperinsulinemia. With metformin therapy, insulin secretion remains unchanged while fasting insulin levels and daylong plasma insulin response may actually decrease.
Pharmacokinetics: Metformin hydrochloride is slowly and incompletely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract; the absolute bioavailability of a single dose 500 mg dose is reported to be about 50 to 60%, although this is reduced somewhat if taken with food. Following absorption, plasma protein binding is negligible and is excreted unchanged in the urine. The plasma elimination half-life is reported to range from about 2 to 6 hours after oral administration.