In the current issue of this Journal, Fiad and colleagues thoughtfully reviewed in
detail the role of metformin in current clinical practice and highlighted the additional
effects of metformin independent of the glycemic action of the drug. The review is
comprehensive, up to date and is extensively supported by the literature. Metformin
remains the first drug of choice in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Its vascular
protection actions are particularly interesting though not yet fully understood. Its
antineoplastic actions are very exciting. The authors clarify the issues of gastrointestinal
side effects and renal limitations of its use and give practical ways of minimizing
the potential loss of benefit to all treated patients.
Key-words:
Metformin - Diabetes - Vascular risk - Cancer - Pre-diabetes - Obesity
