Metformin belongs to which drug class?

Prepare for the KMK Live Session General Pharmacy Test. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations for each question. Get ready for your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Metformin belongs to which drug class?

Explanation:
Metformin belongs to the biguanide class. Biguanides lower blood glucose mainly by reducing hepatic glucose production and by improving insulin sensitivity in muscle, and they do not stimulate insulin release. This explains why metformin is a common first-line medication for type 2 diabetes and why it carries a relatively low risk of hypoglycemia when used alone. In contrast, sulfonylureas stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin, which can cause hypoglycemia; DPP-4 inhibitors raise incretin hormones to enhance insulin secretion and suppress glucagon; and SGLT2 inhibitors promote glucose loss in the urine. So metformin is categorized as a biguanide, not the other drug classes listed.

Metformin belongs to the biguanide class. Biguanides lower blood glucose mainly by reducing hepatic glucose production and by improving insulin sensitivity in muscle, and they do not stimulate insulin release. This explains why metformin is a common first-line medication for type 2 diabetes and why it carries a relatively low risk of hypoglycemia when used alone. In contrast, sulfonylureas stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin, which can cause hypoglycemia; DPP-4 inhibitors raise incretin hormones to enhance insulin secretion and suppress glucagon; and SGLT2 inhibitors promote glucose loss in the urine. So metformin is categorized as a biguanide, not the other drug classes listed.

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