title: Phenformin and lactic acidosis.
abstract: Thirty-eight patients who presented with diabetes and a changed state of consciousness satisfied the criteria for lactic acidosis. Sixteen patients were non-ketotic, and 15 of these were receiving phenformin on admission. In all but one of these 15 patients, however, additional renal or cardiovascular abnormalities, or both, could be identified, which supported a multifactorial aetiology for lactic acidosis. Advanced age and cardiovascular and renal disease are absolute contraindications to the use of phenformin in diabetics.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010629:Phenformin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates; D010629:Phenformin