Journal of Diabetes Mellitus

Volume 5, Issue 2 (May 2015)

ISSN Print: 2160-5831   ISSN Online: 2160-5858

Google-based Impact Factor: 0.48  Citations  

Metformin Intoxication: A Case of a Combination of Severe Hypoglycaemia and Severe Lactic Acidosis (LA)

HTML  XML Download Download as PDF (Size: 230KB)  PP. 111-114  
DOI: 10.4236/jdm.2015.52013    2,963 Downloads   4,138 Views  Citations

ABSTRACT

Metformin is a worldwide used and effective antihyperglycemic agent. It is generally well tolerated but contraindicated in severe renal dysfunction. Metformin does not cause hypoglycaemia, however this case describes hypoglycaemia after an overdose. Another well-known, but rare and potentially life-threatening complication of metformin is the occurrence of LA, the so-called metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA). The severe consequences of an overdose of metformin, as well as the pathophysiologic mechanisms and the clinical consequences of LA in combination with severe hypoglycaemia are described in this report. Early recognition and swift clinical intervention is of paramount importance in case of auto-intoxication with metformin to prevent a lethal outcome.

Share and Cite:

Agterhuis, D. , Freling, H. , Henstra, M. and Veneman, T. (2015) Metformin Intoxication: A Case of a Combination of Severe Hypoglycaemia and Severe Lactic Acidosis (LA). Journal of Diabetes Mellitus, 5, 111-114. doi: 10.4236/jdm.2015.52013.

Copyright © 2024 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

Creative Commons License

This work and the related PDF file are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.