Which drug is a representative biguanide?

Which drug is a representative biguanide?

• A. Sitagliptin
• B. Liraglutide
• C. Canagliflozin
• D. Metformin

Answer: (D)

Biguanides primarily lower blood sugar by reducing hepatic glucose production and by increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin, which helps peripheral tissues take up glucose more effectively. Metformin is the representative member of this class; it’s the classic, most widely used biguanide and is typically considered first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes. It does not stimulate insulin secretion, so it does not usually cause hypoglycemia when used alone. Its main effect is decreasing gluconeogenesis in the liver, which lowers fasting glucose levels and improves overall glycemic control. The other drugs listed belong to different classes with distinct mechanisms: one inhibits DPP-4 to boost incretin hormones, another is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and a third blocks SGLT2 to promote glucose excretion in the kidney. Thus metformin best represents the biguanide class.

Biguanides primarily lower blood sugar by reducing hepatic glucose production and by increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin, which helps peripheral tissues take up glucose more effectively. Metformin is the representative member of this class; it’s the classic, most widely used biguanide and is typically considered first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes. It does not stimulate insulin secretion, so it does not usually cause hypoglycemia when used alone. Its main effect is decreasing gluconeogenesis in the liver, which lowers fasting glucose levels and improves overall glycemic control. The other drugs listed belong to different classes with distinct mechanisms: one inhibits DPP-4 to boost incretin hormones, another is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, and a third blocks SGLT2 to promote glucose excretion in the kidney. Thus metformin best represents the biguanide class.