Metformin poisoning--clinical features, diagnostics and treatment--case presentations
Krawczyk, K.; Bak, M.; Kuropatwa, J.; Winnicka, R.; Kołacinski, Z.; Krakowiak, A.
Przeglad Lekarski 70(8): 661-665
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 0033-2240 PMID: 24466714 Document Number: 664725
Metformin has been used for many years as oral anti-hyperglycaemic agent in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus either in Poland or in the world. Metformin is the most commonly prescribed agent, but acute poisonings of this agent are rare. A review of our experience indicates, that poisoning with this agent may lead to life-threatening or fatal metformin toxicity. The authors of this publication postulate, that each patient with metformin exposure should be hospitalized. Physician must be vigilant to recognize anti-hyperglycaemic agent poisonings like biguanides when hypoglycaemia and acidosis are present in laboratory results. We present patients with metformin toxicity, some of them with fatal course.