The drug Metformin and analogues are included in the group of medicines belonging to the category of biguanides of the 3rd generation. The spectrum of action of the drug is based on a special mechanism for lowering the concentration of sugar in the blood, which allows it to be used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Material Content:
Composition (active substance), release form
The glycemic drug is based on the active substance of the same name metformin. Its purpose is to slow down the production of glucose, as well as to partially block the delivery of free electrons during mitochondrial respiration.
In addition to the main active substance, Metformin includes:
- magnesium silicate with hydroxyl;
- corn starch;
- a salt of magnesium and stearic acid;
- titanium dioxide;
- crospovidone;
- propylene glycol.
Studies have revealed a number of additional beneficial properties of Metformin. It is not only an effective tool in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, but also allows to reduce the likelihood of complications after an illness by 32% (the likelihood of a stroke or heart attack is reduced by 40%).
The drug is available only in tablet form, having a different dosage:
- metformin 500 mg;
- metformin 850 mg;
- metformin 1000 mg.
Tablets are packaged in blisters of 10 pieces.
The hypoglycemic drug Metformin is prescribed for patients with diabetes mellitus.However, with violations of carbohydrate metabolism, the cause of which lies in insulin deficiency, the medication does not give the desired result. Often prescribed to obese patients in combination with insulin.
Metformin tablets allow you to achieve:
- stimulation of sugar breakdown processes in the body, which allows cells to absorb glucose more intensively in large volumes;
- decrease the absorption of saccharides from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood;
- activation of glucose uptake by muscle tissues;
- decrease in glycogen levels in the liver;
- neutralize the manifestation of insulin resistance;
- the conversion of sugar to lactate during digestion;
- stimulation of blood flow in peripheral tissues;
- increasing lipids and lowering low density lipoproteins in the blood;
- slowing down the aging of the body;
- normalization of ovarian function in the diagnosis of cleropolycystosis;
- reduce the risk of developing malignant tumors by 31%;
- prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
When taking the drug, there is no critical decrease in the level of carbohydrates in the plasma, because the active components do not affect the process of insulin production.
Russian analogues of Metformin
Conducted studies have found that tablets for diabetes can achieve the most effective result with their regular intake. Due to the proven effectiveness of the drug has become popular among the population.
The original name of the drug is Glucophage. The producing country is France. Due to the fact that more than a decade has passed since the development of the drug, international law allows the manufacture of the drug by other companies. The composition may remain the same, only the name changes. The drug in this case is called a generic.
In pharmacies, Metformin substitutes for both Russian and foreign production are widely sold.
Among domestic analogues, the most popular are:
- Akrikhin;
- Glyformin;
- Gliformin Prolong;
- Formin;
- Glimecomb;
- Metglib;
- Metformin Richter.
Russian analogues have a lower cost, due to the lack of costs for the transportation of medicines. According to the reviews of patients who consumed them, domestic medicines are not much different from imported hypoglycemic drugs. Doctors note similar compositions of local and imported drugs.
Read also:metformin for weight loss
Imported Drug Substitutes
The global pharmaceutical industry offers diabetes patients many medicines that can improve their health. The most popular imported analogue of Metformin is Glucophage, as well as Siofor.
The basis of the first medication is the active substance metformin hydrochloride. Available in tablet form with a standard amount of active ingredients. The manufacturer offers two forms of Glucophage: classic and prolonged, which has a lasting effect on the processes of sugar absorption by the body. Compared with other hypoglycemic agents, it causes fewer adverse reactions from the digestive organs.
Siofor has a similar composition and spectrum of effects on the patient. The drug is effective if its use follows a meal. As a result, the blood sugar level decreases, and the pancreas's work aimed at the production of insulin is intensified.
Along with these drugs, the following imported analogues of Metformin are popular:
- Metfogamma (at a dosage of 500, 850 and 1000 mg);
- Sofamet;
- Langerine;
- Bagomet (and Bagomet Plus);
- Avandamet;
- Glucovans;
- Formin Pliva;
- Diaformin Od;
- Metadiene and others.
Despite a similar algorithm of action, the cost of drugs that reduce the sugar content in the body varies significantly. As a rule, this parameter depends on the manufacturing country (European counterparts are more expensive).
However, the advisability of replacing one medication with another can only be determined by the attending physician, since only he is able to identify possible contraindications.
Similar tablets without side effects
Despite the effectiveness, the use of Metformin often causes a negative reaction of the body. If at least one of the signs described below appears, you should immediately notify your doctor about this to consider replacing the drug.
The factors for drug withdrawal are:
- colic in the abdomen and increased gas formation;
- lack of appetite;
- dizziness accompanied by nausea;
- diarrhea;
- an allergic reaction to the skin, accompanied by itching;
- metallic taste in the mouth;
- lactic acidosis.
In addition, with prolonged use of Metformin, a gradual inhibition of liver function is possible.
It is possible to partially reduce the severity of unpleasant consequences by adjusting the initial doses of the drug when administration is carried out in a reduced amount. In the future, Metformin gradually begins to be used in standard volumes. However, often such measures do not have the desired effect. In such a situation, it is necessary to choose a medication that has a similar algorithm of action, but without side effects.
To solve the problem of the negative reaction of the body to Metformin, drugs of the so-called prolonged action have been developed.
Among them:
- Glucophage Long (original);
- Gliformin Prolong;
- Metformin Long;
- Formethine Long.
The drugs are designed to provide the slowest absorption of the active ingredients. Due to this, the likelihood of side effects of Metformin from the gastrointestinal tract is almost halved. Along with this, the mechanism for lowering blood sugar levels in prolonged hypoglycemic drugs is preserved in full. After the basic components of the medication are absorbed, the residual components of the drug are excreted from the body.
Instructions for the use of hypoglycemic drug
Due to the poor tolerance of Metformin by some patients, doctors recommend starting to use it with small doses in order to exclude the possibility of individual rejection of certain components of the drug.
The initial dose is 500 mg. With good tolerance, after 1 or 2 weeks, the question of the possibility of increasing the volume of the drug to 1 g is considered. To minimize the effect of Metformin on the digestive system, the prescribed dose is divided into 3 doses. The medicine is characterized by a cumulative effect, so that a steady regression of blood glucose levels is achieved after about 14 days.
Dosage adjustment of prolonged drugs is prescribed after 10-16 days. The maximum possible amount of long-acting Metformin per day is 750 mg - 3 times, 500 mg - 4 times. Moreover, the medicine should be used in its entirety, any grinding will negate the prolonging effect.
The intake of the drug should be constant. Breaks can reduce the result of therapy. In parallel with the use of the medication, the patient should adhere to a diet low in carbohydrates, and also lead an active lifestyle with regular physical exertion. If necessary, weight loss, the patient is prescribed a lower-calorie diet. In the diet of a person who has been using Metformin for a long time, foods rich in vitamin B12 must be present, since such therapy leads to a shortage of it.
Is there a difference in means with a single active substance
Some patients find it acceptable to independently replace the Metformin prescribed by the doctor with a similar drug. Assuming that if the basis of the medication is the same active substance, then you can take the budget option.
In the best case, such therapy does not bring the desired effect, but often this is accompanied by adverse reactions to the new drug. Therefore, the initiative to replace the prescribed drug can come only from the doctor observing the patient. Only he is aware of the characteristics of the course of the disease and the individual characteristics of the body.
Metformin is a highly effective drug not only in the fight against diabetes and obesity. He is able to have a multidirectional positive effect on the body. Unfortunately, side effects are possible along with benefits. It is this circumstance that often forces patients to look for analogues of the product that both domestic and foreign manufacturers are ready to provide. However, the appointment of a new medication can only be done by the attending physician.
