system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
All of the following statements regarding Metformin are TRUE, EXCEPT:
assistant
The correct answer is  Metformin does not affect the release of insulin or islet cell hormones and therefore does not cause hypoglycemia. It lowers blood glucose by reducing hepatic glucose production and by increasing peripheral glucose uptake. In the liver it acts by suppressing gluconeogenesis. Side effects of metformin are: nausea, indigestion, abdominal cramps or bloating and diarrhea. Lactic acidosis was found in patients with concurrent conditions that can cause poor tissue perfusion such as sepsis, myocardial infarction, congestive hea failure, renal failure. Metformin should not be used in severe pulmonary disease, decompensated hea failure, severe liver disease, or chronic alcohol abuse. Ref: Powers A.C., D'Alessio D. (2011). Chapter 43. Endocrine Pancreas and Pharmacotherapy of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypoglycemia. In L.L. Brunton, B.A. Chabner, B.C. Knollmann (Eds), Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 12e.