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Selected topics: toxicology| Volume 20, ISSUE 3, P267-272, April 2001

Metformin-associated lactic acidosis

  • James A Kruse
    Correspondence
    Correspondence Address: James A. Kruse, MD Detroit Receiving Hospital, 4201 St. Antoine Boulevard, Room 5S-10, Detroit, MI 48201
    Affiliations
    Detroit Receiving Hospital and Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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      Abstract

      In 1995, the oral antihyperglycemic agent, metformin, was introduced in the United States for treating diabetes mellitus. Rare cases of metformin-associated lactic acidosis caused by the accumulation of the drug in patients with renal dysfunction have been described, although a detailed time course of the resulting metabolic derangements has not been reported. A case of metformin-associated lactic acidosis is presented along with key serial laboratory abnormalities observed during the treatment phase. The patient made a complete recovery following therapy with hemodialysis and supportive care.

      Keywords

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