Pharmacy and Medications

Does Metaformin Delay Diabetes in Glucose Impaired Patients?

12/18/2008

Question:

I have inpaired glucose tolerance. Does taking Metformin 500 daily delay the progression of diabetes?

Answer:

Thank you for contacting NetWellness. The question of impaired glucose tolerance and the correlation of metformin is currently being addressed by a long-term study. Available data suggest that metformin may prevent development of diabetes mellitus in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. The study, based on a study by Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Research Group, addresses whether an intensive lifestyle modification program or metformin therapy may prevent or delay development of diabetes. The preliminary data reflect that there is a decreased risk for diabetes development with metformin and lifestyle modification verses the placebo and lifestyle management group.
The DPP study found that patients who lost a modest amount of weight through lifestyle changes decreased their incidence of diabetes development.
The DPP also showed that the diabetes drug metformin reduced the risk of diabetes in those with pre-diabetes but was much less successful than losing weight and increasing activity. Information on the DPP study can be located at the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.

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Response by:

Sarah Hudson-DiSalle, PharmD, RPh
Specialty Practice Pharmacist
Department of Pharmacy
The Ohio State University Medical Center
The Ohio State University