Metformin may be helpful for gestational diabetes

Traditionally oral diabetes medications have been considered inappropriate for treating gestational diabetes. In the past, if diet and exercise were not enough to bring blood glucose levels into line, patients were prescribed injectible insulin. But that standard of care is being challenged and changed as studies show that both glyburide and metformin may be beneficial in treating gestational diabetes.


"Up until now people have been reluctant or hesitant to use metformin," says Steven Gabbe, dean of the Vanderbilt School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study. "I think this is now going to change treatment patterns."


This is good news for patients wanting to avoid the needle, relieving many women of the fear of having to do their own insulin injections.

It will be interesting to see how this change affects patients and the treatment of GD over time.