Metformin is the first-line treatment for any patient with type 2 diabetes. Metformin-associated lactic acidosis and transient blindness have only been reported in some case series and case reports. It is rare and presents especially in patients with underlying chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage III and above and on high doses of metformin or with a normal dose of metformin and an associated renal injury. We present here a rare and interesting case of something similar. A 77-year-old woman with a past medical history of type 2 diabetes on metformin, obesity status post gastric bypass, CKD Stage III, presented with complaints of nausea, vomiting, confusion, abdominal pain, diarrhea, decreased urine output, sudden visual loss, and a hypoglycemic episode at home. She was hemodynamically stable. Lab work was suggestive of leukocytosis, hyperkalemia, severe high anion gap metabolic and lactic acidosis, acute-onchronic kidney injury. Findings on the computed tomography (CT) brain, chest radiograph, and CT abdomen and pelvis could not explain the current scenario. She received Ringer's lactate, a bicarbonate push, and an infusion. Acidosis continued to worsen, she became hypotensive requiring pressor support, and she was immediately taken for hemodialysis. All her symptoms, including vision loss, had improved with a single session of hemodialysis, even before the acidosis had corrected. Work-up for other causes of renal dysfunction came back negative. Metformin was discontinued. She was placed on insulin for her diabetes control.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.