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Abstract:  The most common reason for metformin incompliance is due to its side-effect profile. Metformin can cause issues with the gastrointestinal tract and result in nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, or vomiting. The size of the metformin tablet, which is quite large, is another reason for incompliance. Compounding pharmacists can prepare a topical formulation of metformin, which helps eliminate the unwanted gastrointestinal side effects, as well as eliminate the incompliance due to the size of the tablet. The transdermal use of metformin also allows the patient to take a much lower dosage compared to oral metformin. An oral liquid formulation can also help resolve the issue of swallowing a large tablet for those patients who are diagnosed with dysphagia.

Related Keywords: Sarina Desai, PharmD, Tara Thompson, PharmD, FAPC, metformin, biguanides, adverse effects, noncompliance, gastrointestinal symptoms, large tablet size, transdermal administration, topical preparation, oral liquid formulation, diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar, insulin, diabetes complications, microvascular complications, macrovascular complications, antihyperglycemic agents, glucose resistance, off-label uses, formulations

Related Categories: DIABETES, FORMULATIONS, ADVERSE DRUG EVENTS, CARDIOLOGY, DOSAGE FORMS/DRUG CARRIERS

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