Systematic Review: Metformin, more than a hypoglycemic

Metformin is a biguanide-type oral antidiabetic drug used in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM 2). Different uses of this drug are proposed in different pathologies, but in the 100 years since the drug became known, the only approved application is in DM2. The experience in off-label uses is relevant, but its scientific evidence and conclusions are limited, so the main objective of this systematic review is to investigate, analyze, and evaluate the beneficial uses of this drug for outside its regulated indication. A primary search was performed in MedLine, Embase, Google Scholar, and SCielo. 13 articles were included where the pathologies of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Fragile X Syndrome, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Acne, Psoriasis, Acanthosis Nigricans, Primary Myelofibrosis, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, obesity and overweight and its use with antipsychotics were evaluated. The articles show that metformin caused improvement in pathologies such as Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Acanthosis Nigricans, Psoriasis and acne. Metformin works as a weight loss therapy. It is effective as prevention and treatment of weight gain in treatment with antipsychotics. In PCOS, metformin acts by reducing weight, improves hirsutism, and stimulates ovulation. In IVF and PCOS together with the use of metformin negatively affects pregnancy rates. Metformin does not reverse bone marrow fibrosis in patients with primary myelofibrosis. In the case of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, it did not show improvement