Farewell to Phenformin for Treating Diabetes Mellitus

Editorials1 October 1975Farewell to Phenformin for Treating Diabetes MellitusROBERT H. WILLIAMS, M.D., JERRY P. PALMER, M.D.ROBERT H. WILLIAMS, M.D., JERRY P. PALMER, M.D.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-83-4-567 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptPhenformin causes slight reduction of hyperglycemia, but controversy has existed concerning the mechanism. It may partially block absorption of glucose in the intestinal tract (1) and, under special circumstances, inhibits gluconeogenesis (2), but apparently these actions are relatively unimportant in the hypoglycemic action of phenformin in man. In in-vitro studies phenformin increased glucose uptake in isolated tissues in proportion to the amount of anaerobic glycolysis that it produced (3). The increased levels of plasma lactate in patients treated with this drug (4) suggests an increase in anaerobic metabolism. Phenformin has long been known to decrease insulin secretion (5). In view...References1. CZYZYKTAWECKISADOWSKI AJJ: Effect of biguanides on intestinal absorption of glucose. Diabetes 17:492-498, 1968 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. STEINERWILLIAMS DR: Actions of phenethylbiguanide and related compounds. Diabetes 8:154-157, 1959 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. STEINERWILLIAMS DR: Respiratory inhibition and hypoglycemia by biguanides and decamethylenediguanidine. Biochim Biophys Acta 30:329-340, 1958 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. CRAIGMILLERWOODWARD JMH: Influence of phenethylbiguanide on lactic, pyruvic, and citric acid in diabetic patients. Diabetes 9:189-193, 1960 CrossrefGoogle Scholar5. GRODSKYKARAMPAVLATOS GJF: Reduction by phenformin of excessive insulin levels after glucose loading in obese and diabetic subjects. Metabolism 12:278-286, 1963 MedlineGoogle Scholar6. : A study of the effects of hypoglycemic agents on vascular complications in patients with adult-onset diabetes. I. Design, methods and baseline characteristics. Diabetes 19 (suppl 2):747-783, 1970 Google Scholar7. : A study of the effects of hypoglycemic agents on vascular complications in patients with adult-onset diabetes. II. Mortality results. Diabetes 19 (suppl 2):789-830, 1970 Google Scholar8. : Effects of hypoglycemic agents on vascular complications in patients with adult-onset diabetes. III. Clinical implications of UGDP results. JAMA 218:1400-1410, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. : Effects of hypoglycemic agents on vascular complications in patients with adult-onset diabetes. IV. A preliminary report on phenformin results. JAMA 217:777-784, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. : A study of the effects of hypoglycemic agents on vascular complications in patients with adult-onset diabetes. V. Evaluation of phenformin therapy. Diabetes 24 (suppl 1):65-184, 1975 MedlineGoogle Scholar11. GRAY R: The influence of diagnostic criteria on the mortality findings in the University Group Diabetic Programme study of diabetic therapy. Med J Aust 1:594-596, 1973 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: ROBERT H. WILLIAMS, M.D.; JERRY P. PALMER, M.D.Affiliations: Department of Medicine and Diabetes Center University of Washington School of Medicine Seattle, Washington PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byPhenformin increases early hematopoietic progenitors in the Jak2V617F murine modelSynthesis, Anticancer Activity and Mechanism of Phenformin DerivativesBiguanides: Species with versatile therapeutic applicationsEnergy metabolism modulation by biguanides in comparison with rotenone in rat liver and heartMetformin associated lactic acidosis: a case series of 28 patients treated with sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED) and long-term follow-upCardiovascular Outcome Trials of Diabetes and Obesity Drugs: Implications for Conditional Approval and Early Phase Clinical DevelopmentModern Sulfonylureas: Dangerous or Wrongly Accused?Diabetes and oral therapiesLactate as a diagnostic marker in transient loss of consciousnessEtiology and Therapeutic Approach to Elevated Lactate LevelsAcidose lactique à la metformineMetformin and alcoholLactic Acidosis Induced by MetforminAcid-Base Disorders Secondary to PoisoningManagement of Polycystic Ovary SyndromeManagement of polycystic ovary syndromeDiabetic Control AgentsMetformin revisited: re-evaluation of its properties and role in the pharmacopoeia of modern antidiabetic agentsAcidose lactique et biguanides : coïncidence ou négligence des règles de prescription ?Metformin-Associated Lactic Acidosis After Elective Cervical Spine FusionMetformin-associated lactic acidosisThe polycystic ovary syndrome: treatment with insulin sensitizing agentsMetformin‐associated lactic acidosis: a rare or very rare clinical entity?Metformin-induced Acute HepatitisMetformin treatment in NIDDM patients with mild renal impairment.Metformin: Actions and Indications for Use in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes MellitusMetabolic Effects of Metformin in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes MellitusPhenformin-Induced Lactic Acidosis: A Forgotten Adverse Drug ReactionDrug banning and the regulatory processOral Hypoglycemic AgentsManagement of the Elderly Diabetic Patient During AnesthesiaMechanism responsible for the hypoglycemic action of 2-alkoxy-2-propenylidene methanaminiumsLactic acidosis in biguanide-treated diabeticsDiabetes MellitusOral Hypoglycemic AgentsFettsucht und Diabetes mellitusInsulin, glucagon and oral hypoglycaemic drugsDiabetes in the Elderly PatientPhenformin in Diabetes MellitusLUBOMIR J. VALENTA, M.D.Phenformin and Lactic AcidosisSTANLEY A. BLUMENTHAL, M.D., F.A.C.P., DAVID H. P. STREETEN, M.B., D.PHIL., F.R.C.P.Literatur 1 October 1975Volume 83, Issue 4Page: 567-568KeywordsBlood plasmaDiabetes mellitusDrug metabolismDrugsGluconeogenesisGlucoseHyperglycemiaHypoglycemicsInsulin secretionLactates ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 October 1975 PDF downloadLoading ...