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Phenformin


Phenformin
Systematic (IUPAC) name
2-(N-phenethylcarbamimidoyl)guanidine
Identifiers
CAS number	114-86-3
ATC code	A10BA01
PubChem	8249
DrugBank	APRD00511
Chemical data
Formula	C₁₀H₁₅N₅
Mol. mass	205.26 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	?

Phenformin is an anti-diabetic drug from the biguanide class. It is no longer widely available because it is known to induce lactic acidosis.^[1]

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Guide to balance cleaning: 8 simple steps

Daily Visual Balance Check

Like metformin, phenformin leads to weight loss, something often desirable in type 2 diabetics, and it is for this reason that there is still some interest in it.^[2]

References

^ Enia G, Garozzo M, Zoccali C (1997). "Lactic acidosis induced by phenformin is still a public health problem in Italy.". BMJ 315 (7120): 1466-7. PMID 9418116.
^ Rosand J, Friedberg J, Yang J (1997). "Fatal phenformin-associated lactic acidosis.". Ann Intern Med 127 (2): 170. PMID 9230023.

v • d • e Oral antidiabetic drugs and Insulin analogs (A10)
Biguanides	Metformin
Sulfonylureas	Chlorpropamide, Glibenclamide (Glyburide), Gliclazide, Glimepiride, Glipizide, Gliquidone, Tolazamide, Tolbutamide
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors	Acarbose, Miglitol, Voglibose
Thiazolidinediones (TZD)	Pioglitazone, Rosiglitazone, Troglitazone
Meglitinides	Nateglinide, Repaglinide, Mitiglinide
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors	Saxagliptin, Sitagliptin, Vildagliptin
Glucagon-like peptide-1 analog	Exenatide
Insulin analogs	fast acting (Insulin lispro, Insulin aspart, Insulin glulisine), intermediate-acting (NPH insulin), long acting (Insulin glargine, Insulin detemir)