Adapted from BMJ 19 Oct 2024
Paternal use of Metformin during the period of sperm development is not associated with congenital malformation in the offspring. Thus men who have type two diabetes mellitus, and who are prescribed the drug, can continue using it.
These results were found from a large study conducted in both Norway and Taiwan.
Metformin is used in metabolic syndrome and type two diabetes. In the UK 24 million prescriptions were issued for it. It is also used in diabetic pregnant women. Although it crosses the placenta, it does not cause fetal harm. These studies in both the mothers and fathers should give reassurance to both patients and clinicians, particularly as type two diabetes is occurring at earlier ages in the adult population than previously.
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