Acute metformin intoxication: 2012 experience of Emergency Departement of Lodi, Italy

UNLABELLED Background: Metformin is a biguanide antihyperglycemic agent that decreases insulin resistance. It is removed through renal mechanisms and its clearance is reduced in renal failure. Metformin ingestion should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of any patient with metabolic acidosis and increased lactate level. Hemodialysis and continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) are both efficient methods to treat metformin intoxication and correct metabolic abnormalities. METHODS Patient 1: A 63-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus presented to emergency department (ED) of Lodi (Italy) for dyspnea. He also reported having diarrhea for 10 days. Initial investigations revealed metabolic acidosis with hyperlactatemia and hypoglycemia (54 mg/dL), metformin concentration was 41 μg/mL (normal value