What is the main function of Biguanides antidiabetic medications?

Biguanides, primarily represented by the medication metformin, primarily function by reducing liver glucose synthesis. This class of drugs significantly lowers blood sugar levels by inhibiting gluconeogenesis, which is the process through which the liver produces glucose from non-carbohydrate sources. By decreasing the amount of glucose released into circulation, biguanides help to manage and control hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Additionally, biguanides also improve insulin sensitivity and enhance peripheral glucose uptake and utilization, but their most significant and defining effect is on the liver where they effectively reduce the endogenous production of glucose. This mechanism is crucial because it helps to prevent the excessive glucose load that can contribute to high blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

Understanding this function is important as it differentiates biguanides from other diabetes medications that may focus on increasing insulin production or enhancing glucose absorption, which are not the primary actions of this class of medication.