Citation

Arikan S, Tuzcu A, Bahçeci M, Kaplan MA, Gökalp D. Turk. Klin. J. Med. Sci. 2012; 32(2): 559-562.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Hekimler Birliği Vakfı)

DOI

10.5336/medsci.2010-19297

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Lactic acidosis is a well-recognized side effect of metformin, especially in patients with renal failure. Only a few cases of deliberate self-poisoning with metformin have been described in the literature. The mechanism of metformin-associated lactic acidosis is complex. In the absence of acute overdose, metformin-associated lactic acidosis rarely develops in patients without comorbidities such as renal or hepatic insufficiency or acute infection. We report two patients who had a large dose of metformin in an attempt to harm themselves and presented with lactic acidosis. In our experience, metformin intoxication may lead a high anion gap metabolic acidosis after a suicide attempt. Sodium bicarbonate infusion is able to correct the acid-base metabolism sufficiently in subjects with normal renal functions. © 2012 by Türkiye Klinikleri.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; female; male; case report; Overdose; abdominal pain; suicidal behavior; drug overdose; Metformin; article; vomiting; drug intoxication; fluid therapy; diarrhea; nausea; drug withdrawal; glucose blood level; glucose; bicarbonate; insulin; non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus; metabolic acidosis; lactic acidosis; metformin; arterial gas; outcome assessment; drug substitution; weakness; Acidosis; Bicarbonates; Lactic