A patient taking metformin may be at increased risk for developing lactic acidosis if certain clinical conditions are present.
Risk factors for developing lactic acidosis:
(1) renal dysfunction
(2) hepatic dysfunction
(3) congestive heart failure
(4) excessive alcohol use
(5) moderate to severe dehydration
(6) exposure to radio-opaque contrast media (due to nephrotoxic risk)
(7) surgery
(8) heart attack
(9) stroke
(10) severe infection
(11) other severe systemic inflammatory response
(12) age >= 80 years of age with unknown renal function
Metformin should not be taken if one or more of the above risk factors are present, except as directed by a physician.
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Specialty: Endocrinology, Clinical Laboratory, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,
