The nephrologist's role in metformin-induced lactic acidosis

Metformin is an antihyperglycemic agent commonly used in diabetic patients. It is very effective and is able to reduce the plasma glucose and HbA1C. However, in some patients, specially those with comorbidities, metformin can provoke severe lactic acidosis with high morbimortality. Treatment of the lactic acidosis induced by metformin is based on the use of supportive general measures; in severe cases, procedures of extrarrenal purification like hemodialysis or continuous hemodiafiltration have been successfully used.