Men’s Use of
Common Diabetes Drug, Is Linked to Birth Defects.
Men’s Use of
Common Diabetes Drug, Is Linked to Birth Defects.
The diabetes drug
Metformin was the
subject of the study.
which was conducted in participation with researchers at George Mason University.
It was published on March 28 in the journal 'Annals of Internal Medicine.'.
Metformin is used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Men who had taken the drug up to three months before the conception of their child were the focus of the research.
The study found a significant increase in the number of children born with birth defects who were fathered by men who had taken metformin.
compared to the number of birth defects in children fathered by men who did not take the drug.
The particular birth defect that was observed
is found only in male babies.
Altered testosterone levels may be an underlying mechanism raising concern about the antiandrogenic activity of oral diabetes pharmacologic agents, including metformin, Germain Buck Louis, Epidemiologist at George Mason University, via CNN.
According to the study, insulin did not affect the rate of birth defects.
Researchers note that other data concerning the men's diabetes was not considered.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not issued any warnings concerning the common diabetes drug.
Researchers involved in the study recommend that the FDA reconsiders this position.
Clinical guidance is needed to help couples planning pregnancy weigh the risks and benefits of paternal metformin use relative to other medications, Germain Buck Louis, Epidemiologist at George Mason University, via CNN