Sucranorm Mechanism of Action

Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Metformin is a biguanide with antihyperglycaemic effects, lowering both basal and postprandial plasma glucose. It does not stimulate insulin secretion and therefore does not produce hypoglycaemia. Metformin may act via 3 mechanisms: Reduction of hepatic glucose production by inhibiting gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis; in muscle, by increasing insulin sensitivity, improving peripheral glucose uptake and utilization; and delay of intestinal glucose absorption. Metformin stimulates intracellular glycogen synthesis by acting on glycogen synthase. Metformin increases the transport capacity of all types of membrane glucose transporters (GLUTs) known to date.
Pharmacokinetics: Metformin hydrochloride is slowly and incompletely absorbed from 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. Once absorbed, protein binding in plasma is negligible; the drug is excreted unchanged in the urine. The plasma elimination half-life is reported to range from about 2 to 6 hours after oral doses. Metformin crosses the placenta and is distributed into breast milk in small amounts.