Home
You can view the current or previous issues of Diabetes Health online, in their entirety, anytime you want.
Click Here To View
See if you qualify for our free healthcare professional magazines. Click here to start your application for Pre-Diabetes Health, Diabetes Health Pharmacist and Diabetes Health Professional.
Latest Metformin Articles
Popular Metformin Articles
Highly Recommended Metformin Articles
Many Patients Given Metformin in Hospitals Despite Contraindications
Its Use in Certain Situations Can Cause Life-Threatening Complications
Many patients who are treated with metformin (Glucophage) during hospital stays have medical conditions or undergo procedures that, when combined with metformin, put them at risk for developing lactic acidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition caused by a build-up of lactic acid that can lead to organ damage.
Amy T. Calabrese, PharmD, and colleagues from the University of Pittsburgh, writing in the February 25, 2002, issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, evaluated the effects of metformin therapy on 204 patients who were admitted to the hospital during a six-month study period and who were given at least one dose of the drug.
In 71 admissions (27 percent), patients who had at least one absolute condition that made use of metformin inadvisable were given at least one dose of the drug during admission. In 29 of those admissions, treatment with metformin was continued, despite the risk. The most common contraindication, evidence of kidney dysfunction, was present or developed during admission in 32 of the patients. However, metformin therapy was stopped in only eight of those cases.
In 97 admissions, metformin was given even though the patients were undergoing studies involving intravenous contrast dyes, which is one of the most common conditions that should argue against using metformin, the researchers note.
"Many patients are treated with metformin despite having clinical conditions that place them at risk for developing lactic acidosis," write the researchers. To avoid this problem, those prescribing the drug need to "develop a better understanding of the prescribing guidelines."
Categories: Hospital Care, Metformin, Type 2 Medications
You May Also Be Interested In...
Click Here To View Or Post Comments
0 comments -
May 1, 2002
-
Diabetes Health
Diabetes Health is the essential resource for people living with diabetes- both newly diagnosed and experienced as well as the professionals who care for them. We provide balanced expert news and information on living healthfully with diabetes. Each issue includes cutting-edge editorial coverage of new products, research, treatment options, and meaningful lifestyle issues.
-
Topics
- Diabetic / Diabetes Health
- Type 1 / 1.5 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Blood Glucose / Sugar
- High/Low Blood Sugar / Fast Acting Glucose
- Insulin- Pumps, Pens & Syringes
- Continuous Glucose Monitors, CGM, Infusion Sets
- Type 2 Medications
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypoglycemia
Email to a Friend
Send a link to this page to your friends and colleagues.