GPs can consider metformin or other glucose-lowering drugs to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes in patients with prediabetes, a new Australian position statement says.

However, pharmacotherapy should only be an option in younger adults who fail to respond to lifestyle interventions alone, according to peak diabetes groups, including the Australian Diabetes Society (ADS) and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association.

The updated position statement, published in May, provides guidance for the screening and management of prediabetes in the primary care setting.

Although the document emphasises the importance of intensive lifestyle modifications, it also includes new advice on the use of diabetes medications and bariatric surgery for patients who are morbidly obese.