Building Competency in Diabetes Education THE ESSENTIALS

TREATMENT MODALITIES: PHARMACOLOGICAL THERAPIES | 6-21

Biguanides Metformin is the only biguanide medication available. Metformin reduces hepatic glucose production, improves insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and decreases the intestinal absorption of glucose. Metformin is the first line of treatment for all people with type 2 diabetes (unless contraindicated) due to its effective glucose lowering, safety, low cost and possible cardiac benefits (24,25).