[Metformin as the first line antidiabetic agent].

Metformin is considered to be the only drug suitable in patients with prediabetes and is the drug of choice in patients with type 2 diabetes. Apart from important antidiabetic effect, it also has some important additional effects: reduced incidence of tumours, positive effects on cardiovascular system, stimulation of immunity, positive effects on the bone, effect on ovulation, influence over body weight reduction, pancreas-protective effects (reduced incidence of carcinoma and possible effect on reduction in incidence of pancreatitis during incretin treatment), positive effects on liver steatosis. Since diabetes patients live with increased cardiovascular risk, it is important to continuously remind ourselves of the positive cardiovascular effects of metformin.