Metformin

**Semantic type:** Organic Chemical|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** An agent belonging to the biguanide class of antidiabetics with antihyperglycemic activity. Metformin is associated with a very low incidence of lactic acidosis. This agent helps reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and is not associated with weight gain, and prevents the cardiovascular complications of diabetes. Metformin is not metabolized and is excreted unchanged by the kidneys.

**Synonyms:** - 1,1-Dimethylbiguanide - METFORMIN - N,N-Dimethylimidodicarbonimidic Diamide - N,N-dimethylbiguanide - metformin