Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Metformin versus insulin in gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review
Giovanna Noronha Berti1, Igor Gutschov Oviedo Garcia1, João Pedro Ruas Floriano de Toledo1
1Centro Universitário Lusíada SantosSP Brazil Centro Universitário Lusíada, Santos, SP, Brazil.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to assess the use of metformin with or without insulin for the treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus compared to insulin alone.
Data Sources:
This article consists of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. The searches were carried out on MEDLINE including 7 studies, between 2010 to 2021.
Study Selection:
Randomized clinical trials comparing metformin and insulin written in English, Spanish or Portuguese, with no time limit, were included.
Data Collection:
Data was extracted from all the 7 articles and compared statistically when possible. Whenever data was not available or couldn't be statistically compared, the main results were described in detail.
Data Synthesis:
Insulin alone is not superior than metformin with or without insulin on gestational diabetes mellitus.
Conclusion:
There is a potential viability of using metformin as an alternative compared to insulin alone in the treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. However, all assessed outcomes have a very low level of certainty of evidence and more studies are necessary to support these findings.
Related Concept Videos
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...

