I-Max Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Metformin acts primarily by reducing hepatic glucose production and increasing peripheral glucose uptake. Insulin production is not affected and so hypoglycemia as a side effect does not occur. Metformin does not cause weight gain and so is the treatment of choice for obese patients. Metformin HCl is equally effective in the non-obese. It induces comparable effects on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA) levels to the sulfonylureas. Metformin HCl has a favorable effect on plasma lipids and the homeostatic mechanism.
Metformin HCl does not stimulate insulin release but does require that some insulin be present for it to exert a hypoglycemic effect. Possible mechanisms of action include delay in the absorption of glucose from the gastrointestinal tract, an increased in insulin sensitivity and inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis. Metformin HCl does not usually lower blood-glucose concentrations in non-diabetic patients.
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption and Fate: Metformin hydrochloride is absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract. It has a plasma half-life of about 3 hours and is not bound to plasma proteins. Metformin HCl is excreted unchanged in the urine. Its hypoglycemic action lasts 6-8 hours.