2018CureusOpen access

Metformin-Induced Lactic Acidosis: A Case Study

Waliul Chowdhury, Muhammad Uzair Lodhi, Intekhab Askari Syed, Umer Ahmed, Maxwell Miller, Mustafa Rahim

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Abstract

Metformin is the first line management for patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin-induced lactic acidosis (MALA) is a severe side effect of metformin in high doses. However, there have not been many reported cases of MALA. The threshold metformin concentration needed to induce lactic acidosis is still not fully understood. It is important for physicians to measure metformin levels upon admission in Type 2 diabetes patients who take metformin and present with suspected lactic acidosis. We present a case of a 40-year-old Caucasian male who presented with severe lactic acidosis shortly after overdosing on metformin.

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What this paper is about

Metformin is the first line management for patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin-induced lactic acidosis (MALA) is a severe side effect of metformin in high doses. However, there have not been many reported cases of MALA. The threshold metformin concentration needed to induce lactic acidosis is still not fully understood. It is important for physicians to measure metformin levels upon admission in Type 2 diabetes patients who take metformin and present with suspected lactic acidosis. We present a case of a 40-year-old Caucasian male who presented with severe lactic acidosis shortly after overdosing on metformin.

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Available abstract

Metformin is the first line management for patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin-induced lactic acidosis (MALA) is a severe side effect of metformin in high doses. However, there have not been many reported cases of MALA. The threshold metformin concentration needed to induce lactic acidosis is still not fully understood. It is important for physicians to measure metformin levels upon admission in Type 2 diabetes patients who take metformin and present with suspected lactic acidosis. We present a case of a 40-year-old Caucasian male who presented with severe lactic acidosis shortly after overdosing on metformin.

Key concepts: Metformin, Lactic acidosis, Medicine, Type 2 diabetes, Diabetes mellitus, Acidosis, Internal medicine, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

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