Diabetes Drugs Examined for Benefits, Risks to Heart Health

Metformin may have advantages over other commonly used diabetes medications, according to recent research.

Published: December 6, 2012

In a recent study comparing the effectiveness of sulfonylureas and metformin as first-line treatments of diabetes, metformin was associated with more positive outcomes. The study, published recently in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that sulfonylureas were associated with a 21 percent increased risk for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke or death compared to metformin.