Steady-state pharmacokinetics of a novel extended-release metformin formulation
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Metformin is an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The pharmacokinetic characteristics of the conventional immediate-release (IR) formulation of metformin (Glucophage), however, necessitate two- or three-times-daily dosing. Development of a novel extended-release (XR) formulation of metformin (Glucophage XR) using GelShield Diffusion System technology provides a once-daily dosing option. The objective of this study was to assess the steady-state pharmacokinetics of metformin XR tablets.
STUDY DESIGN: This was an open-label, multiple-dose, five-regimen, two-sequence clinical study lasting 5 weeks.
METHODS: Subjects were 16 healthy volunteers aged 18-40 years. Three 1-week regimens of metformin XR (500, 1000 and 1500 mg once daily) were administered sequentially. Subjects were alternately given either metformin XR 2000 mg once daily or metformin IR 1000 mg twice daily during weeks 4 and 5. The pharmacokinetic properties of metformin XR were assessed on two separate days at steady state and compared with those of metformin IR.
RESULTS: Absorption of metformin XR was slower than that of metformin IR (time to maximum plasma concentration = 7 versus 3 hours). Maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) following the administration of metformin XR 2000 mg once daily was 36% higher than that following the evening dose of metformin IR 1000 mg twice daily. The extent of absorption, determined by area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC),…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 16 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Metformin as an adjuvant in breast cancer treatment
- Metformin Lysosomal Targeting: A Novel Aspect to Be Investigated for Metformin Repurposing in Neurodegenerative Diseases?
- Aberrant HSF1 signaling activation underlies metformin amelioration of myocardial infarction in mice
- Metformin induces ZFP36 by mTORC1 inhibition in cervical cancer-derived cell lines
- Protein Interaction Network for Identifying Vascular Response of Metformin (Oral Antidiabetic)
- Preventing Long COVID With Metformin
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.