Final answer:
Metformin is a drug used to treat diabetes mellitus. It lowers blood glucose levels by decreasing hepatic gluconeogenesis and inhibiting glucose uptake by extrahepatic tissues. It does not cause hypoglycemia, excrete unchanged, or have a high incidence of lactic acidosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metformin is a drug used to treat diabetes mellitus. It has several effects on the body, including decreasing hepatic gluconeogenesis, inhibiting glucose uptake by extrahepatic tissues, and inhibiting the enzymes of glucose production in the cells. These mechanisms contribute to lowering blood glucose levels, making metformin an effective treatment for diabetes. However, it does not cause hypoglycemia, excrete unchanged, or have a high incidence of lactic acidosis.