Double-Blind Study of Phenethyldiguanide in Weight Control of Obese Nondiabetic Subjects

A double-blind study of the effectiveness of phenformin, a phenethyldiguanide, in a weight reduction program of obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance was made. After fifteen weeks of drug administration the increased loss of weight in the group given phenformin could be attributed to the great weight losses in subjects genetically predisposed to diabetes. No change in fasting blood sugar or serum cholesterol levels was observed. Side effects were negligible. The exact mode of action of the diguanides remains unknown.