Metformin Ethanol

Metformin. Metformin [657-24-9] (1,1-dimethylbiguanide), mol wt 129.17, forms crystals from propanol, mp 218—220°C, and is soluble in water and 95% ethanol, but practically insoluble in ether and chloroform. Metformin, an investigational dmg in the United States, does not increase basal or meal-stimulated insulin secretion. It lowers blood glucose levels in hyperglycemic patients with Type II diabetes but has no effect on blood glucose levels in normal subjects. It does not cause hypoglycemia. Successful metformin therapy usually is associated with no or some weight loss. 

Hypoglycemia Hypoglycemia does not occur in patients receiving metformin alone under usual circumstances, but could occur with deficient caloric intake, strenuous exercise not compensated by caloric supplementation, or during concomitant use with other glucose-lowering agents (such as sulfonylureas) or ethanol. 

ASA = aspirin NSAIDs = non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac CNS stimulants include drugs such as pseudoephedrine, dextroamphetamine, theophylline, and caffeine MAO = monoamine oxidase CNS depressants include drugs such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and ethanol SSRIs = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine. Antidiabetic agents include drugs such as insulin, glipizide, glyburide, and metformin. 

B. Other useful laboratory studies include glucose, electrolytes, magnesium, and ethanol. If metformin or phenformin is suspected, obtain a venous blood lactate level (gray-top tube). 

Tarralin, an ethanolic extract of A. dracunculus, administered to genetically diabetic mice by oral gavage resulted in a significant anti-hyperglycemic effect in comparison to trogli-tazone and metformin. The effect was attributed to the inhibition of aldose reductase by the four compounds mentioned above, which was comparable to that produced by quercitrin as a reference control. 

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