Metformin: Mechanism of action

Metformin is an oral anti-diabetic drug, which belongs to biguanide class. It is the only drug available in this class.

Still now it’s difficult to find a full explanation of the mechanism of action of metformin.
However, the primary effect of metformin is to activate the enzyme adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase which is also called AMPK.

Metformin activates AMPK enzyme in liver which inhibits the gluconeogenesis. The inhibition of gluconeogenesis leads to decrease glucose production.


Patient with type 2 diabetes have considerably less fasting glycemia as well as lower post prandial hyperglycemia after administration of metformin. Also hypoglycemia is rare during metformin therapy. That’s why it is more appropriately termed as euglycemic agent.


There are other mechanisms also, like:
It increases the insulin sensitivity
Increases the fatty acid oxidation
Decreases the intestinal glucose absorption


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