Abstract
Biguanides, particularly the widely prescribed drug metformin, have been marketed for many decades and have well-established absorption profiles. They are commonly administered via the oral route and, despite variation in oral uptake, remain commonly prescribed for diabetes mellitus, typically type 2. Studies over the last decade have focused on the design and development of advanced oral delivery dosage forms using bio nano technologies and novel drug carrier systems. Such studies have demonstrated significantly enhanced delivery and safety of biguanides using nanocapsules. Enhanced delivery and safety have widened the potential applications of biguanides not only in diabetes but also in other disorders. Hence, this review aimed to explore biguanides’ pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmaceutical applications in diabetes, as well as in other disorders.
Highlights
Biguanides are a class of drugs, with one drug from this category, titled metformin, prescribed widely at present
type 1 diabetes (T1D) occurs as a result of immune-mediated destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells, resulting in partial or absolute insulin deficiency; it usually occurs in adolescence or early stages of life, but can occur at any time, with several studies suggesting adult-onset T1D to be more prevalent than onset in children [5,6,7,8]
Whilst metformin still remains the drug of choice for many in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), its properties indicate its strong potential for the treatment of other metabolic disorders; as previously mentioned, its variability in oral delivery restricts these therapeutic benefits [103]
Summary
Biguanides are a class of drugs, with one drug from this category, titled metformin, prescribed widely at present. Its prevalence in younger patients has seen a rapid increase due to multiple factors, not limited to a lack of physical activity and subsequent increasing youth obesity. Patients with this type of DM are asymptomatic initially and may not be diagnosed for several years, during which the pathophysiology continues to exacerbate and worsen [15,16]. T1D presents as an early and young-stage onset of clinical symptoms which include polydipsia, polyuria, and weight loss with ketosis. Such presentation may occur with or without a family history of autoimmune diseases.
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