Application of metformin in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Metformin has been used in type 2 diabetes mellitus since the early twenties of the 20th century, but the history of its application goes back to the middle ages. In the last twenty years the revival of metformin has been observed. Its multiple-proven profitable metabolic effect in type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and other insulinresistant states caused the research of usefulness of metformin in type 1 diabetes to be conducted in chosen groups of patients with type 1 diabetes. Metformin, due to the reduction of exogenus insulin requirement, the decrease of body mass, profitable modification of a lipid profile and haemostasis as well as few side effects and its therapeutic safety, could be used in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Although indubitable metabolic advantages, better controlled diabetes, and the delay of chronic diabetic complications have been show, metformin is still used very cautiously in type 1 diabetes. To introduce a general application of metformin in this type of therapy it is necessary to conduct more research on a larger group of patients.