Metformin versus Insulin in Treatment of Gestational Diabetes
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- Category: Vol. 85, September 2017
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Metformin versus Insulin in Treatment of Gestational Diabetes, MOHAMED S. FOUAD, MOHAMED M. FARAHAT, TAMER F. OUFF, MOHAMED S. EL-SHOURBAGY and MOHAMED L. AMER
Abstract
Background: The use of ant diabetic drugs to control gestational diabetes was controversial. Some studies suggest a possible link between the use of oral antidiuretics and fetal anomalies, fetal macrosomia and neonatal hypoglycemia whereas others have demonstrated no such relationship.
Metformin is a biguanide hypoglycemic agent that reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis and increases peripheral insulin sensitivity.
Although it crosses placenta, metformin appear to be safe in pregnancy.
Many studies have suggested the potential safety of this drug in pregnancy and its ability to maintain adequate glycemic control.
Objectives: In the study, the aim was to compare the efficacy of metformin with that of insulin in treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus.
Study Design: The study included 100 pregnant women who have been diagnosed as gestational diabetics at 25-33 weeks gestation with singleton pregnancy.
Results: This study included 95 pregnant women having GDM, 47 of them were treated with metformin, and the remaining number (48) were treated with insulin.
Conclusion: Analysis of the results revealed that metformin was an effective medication for control of blood glucose in women with GDM who failed to achieve euglycemic with diet only.
The time for metformin as an alternative treatment to insulin has come; however, it should be prescribed after careful consideration of these patient characteristics to minimize the need for supplemental insulin.