Glumend Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Metformin hydrochloride is N, N-dimethylimidodicarbonimidic diamide hydrochloride. The activity of Metformin Hydrochloride reduces elevated blood glucose concentrations in patients with diabetes, but it does not increase insulin secretion. This is probably the reason why it does not cause hypoglycemia. Metformin Hydrochloride seems to potentiate insulin action by enhancing insulin binding to its receptors and/or post-receptors.
Metformin Hydrochloride (Glumend) improves the blood lipoprotein profile not only in diabetics but also in non-diabetic subjects with hyperlipoproteinemia.
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption: Metformin hydrochloride is slowly and incompletely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract; the absolute bioavailability of a single 500 mg dose is reported to be about 50 to 60%, although this is reduced somewhat if taken with food.
Distribution: Protein binding in plasma is negligible.
Metabolism: The drug is excreted unchanged in the urine and does not undergo hepatic metabolism nor biliary excretion.
Excretion: Metformin Hydrochloride is eliminated mainly through the kidneys via tubular secretion. The renal clearance of the drug is approximately 3.5 times greater than the creatinine clearance. Approximately 90% of the absorbed drug is eliminated within 24hours after oral administration. The plasma elimination half-life is approximately 17.6 hours in the blood suggesting that the erythrocyte mass may be a compartment distribution.