Preface

Discovered in 1922, metformin is an oral antidiabetic drug used to control blood sugar levels. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines and is a the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, predominantly in people who are overweight. It is a biguanide antihyperglycemic agent that works by decreasing glucose production by the liver, increasing the insulin sensitivity of body tissues, and increasing GDF15 secretion, which reduces appetite and caloric intake.

This book highlights the molecular mechanism, pharmacokinetics, and uses of metformin, as well as presents information on adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and the potential use of metformin in tuberculosis. Dedicated chapters discuss the mechanism of metformin; its clinical pharmacokinetics, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion; adverse effects of the medicine, such as diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, low blood sugar, elevated blood lactic acid level (caused by overly large doses or occurring in persons with severe kidney problems); and recent advancements in the use of metformin for tuberculosis.

This volume is a useful resource for students, researchers, clinical practitioners, and other interested readers.

> **Dr. Juber Akhtar** Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, Integral University, Lucknow, India

**Usama Ahmad, Badruddeen and Mohammad Irfan Khan** Integral University, India

Section 1
