Abstract
Major concern with use of metformin in patients with chronic kidney failure is risk of lactate acidosis and hypoglycemia as serious side effects. Data regarding use of metformin in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis are very limited.
Data regarding concentration of metformin in plasma and dialysate are lacking. With the aim to clarify the efficacy and safety of administration of metformin to patients with chronic kidney failure treated with peritoneal dialysis a study was performed in 35 peritoneal dialysis patients who had no other comorbidity potentially increasing the risk of lactate acidosis.
The average dose of metformin was 0,84 g/ day. During the study there was no change in HbA1 or glycemia concentration, the insulin dose decresed, Elevation of lactate concentration was found just in 0,76% of samples.
The level of metformin in plasma was 2,57 mg/L and in dialysate effluent 2,83 ml/L. It can be concluded that metformin can be used with caution in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis.