basal insulin + metformin

**Basal insulin + metformin** is a combination therapy used to manage type 2 diabetes mellitus, typically in patients who are inadequately controlled on oral antidiabetic drugs alone. - **Mechanism of Action:** - **Metformin** is a biguanide that primarily reduces hepatic glucose production, increases peripheral insulin sensitivity, and decreases intestinal absorption of glucose, resulting in lower fasting and postprandial blood glucose[1][3]. - **Basal insulin** analogues (such as insulin glargine, detemir, degludec, or NPH) act to provide a steady, background level of insulin to regulate blood glucose between meals and overnight, compensating for reduced endogenous insulin secretion and overcoming insulin resistance[1]. - The combination addresses both insulin sensitivity and insulin deficiency, and is recommended when oral agents like metformin alone do not achieve glycemic targets[1]. - This regimen is not a fixed-dose combination product; instead, it refers to the clinical practice of using both agents together, with dosages individually titrated[1]. - It is often part of a “basal combined oral therapy” (BOT), sometimes in combination with other oral antidiabetics[1]. - There is no single branded pharmaceutical product containing just basal insulin and metformin; rather, various insulin analogues are used in combination with metformin as per physician’s discretion[1][3]. - Primary indication: *Type 2 diabetes mellitus*.

Other names

basal insulin and metforminbasal insulin plus metformin