Important note: Information in this article was accurate in October 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Researchers reported results from 25 HIV+ subjects (6 female, 19 male) who were in their study. Doctors randomly assigned subjects to receive metformin 500 mg twice daily or fake metformin (placebo) for three months. Most subjects were also taking a protease inhibitor-based regimen. All subjects had the following problems occur before they entered the study:
Those subjects who received placebo had the following lab values at the start of the study:
These differences in lab values between the two groups was not statistically significant.
After three months, the researchers found the following changes occurred in metformin users compared to those subjects on placebo:
Nine subjects (64%) using metformin developed the following symptoms:
Only 27% of subjects receiving placebo reported similar problems. In the case of most metformin users, these side effects cleared within four weeks of entering the study.
In non-HIV-infected people, metformin has been found to cause an increase in lactate levels, leading to lactic acidosis. No such increase was observed during the study and no subject developed lactic acidosis.
Metformin users did not have significantly increased levels of liver enzymes in their blood samples. This suggests that the drug did not cause any increase in liver damage. As well, metformin did not appear to interact with anti-HIV therapy.
Overall, the results from this study are encouraging. There are, however, several issues which readers may wish to keep in mind about metformin. We highlight these issues in the article below.
1. Hadigan C, Corcoran C, Basgoz N, et al. Metformin in the treatment of HIV lipodystrophy syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2000 Jul 26;284(4):472-7.
20001009
CATE11104
Copyright © 2000 - TreatmentUpdate. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Editor, The Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange, 555 Richmond St. West, Suite 505, Box 1104, Toronto, ON, M5V 3B1 • Phone: 416-203-7122 • Toll Free: 1-800-263-1638 • Fax: 416-203-8284 http://www.catie.ca.
ÆGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, iMetrikus, Inc., the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2000. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
ÆGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1990, 2000. ÆGiS & the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. All materials appearing on ÆGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of ÆGIS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.