Severe lactic acidosis treated with prolonged hemodialysis: recovery after massive overdoses of metformin

Semin Dial. 2006 Jan-Feb;19(1):80-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-139X.2006.00123.x.

Abstract

We report two cases of severe lactic acidosis due to massive metformin ingestion. The first case was a 37-year-old man who was discovered several hours after ingesting 45 g of metformin. He had severe lactic acidosis (blood pH 6.81, bicarbonate 4 mEq/L, lactate 25.7 mEq/L). Despite intravenous bicarbonate therapy, he decompensated and was placed on a combination of hemodialysis and charcoal hemoperfusion for a continuous time of 25 hours. His hospital course was complicated by acute renal failure requiring a period of intermittent hemodialysis. He has since made a complete recovery. The second case was a 53-year-old man who ingested 50 g of metformin. He also presented with severe lactic acidosis (blood pH 6.85, bicarbonate 3 mEq/L and lactate 28.4 mEq/L) and deteriorated despite intravenous bicarbonate therapy. He was placed on hemodialysis as a continuous therapy for 21 hours. His hospital course was complicated by acute renal failure requiring a period of intermittent hemodialysis. He has subsequently made a complete recovery. Metformin-associated lactic acidosis carries a high mortality rate. Prolonged hemodialysis should be considered as an early treatment option in these cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acidosis, Lactic / chemically induced*
  • Acidosis, Lactic / therapy*
  • Adult
  • Drug Overdose
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / poisoning*
  • Male
  • Metformin / poisoning*
  • Middle Aged
  • Renal Dialysis*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Metformin