Biomaterial Database

Metformin-related vitamin B12 deficiency. 2006

Kin Wah Liu, and Lok Kwan Dai, and Woo Jean

Medical and Geriatric Unit, Shatin Hospital, New Territories, Hong Kong, China. kwliuhk@yahoo.com

Metformin is an invaluable hypoglycaemic agent. We report two cases who had symptomatic vitamin B12 deficiency related to metformin use; the mechanisms are discussed. The clinician must be aware of the possibility of metformin-associated B12 deficiency in users who suffer cognitive impairment, peripheral neuropathy, subacute combined degeneration of the cord or anaemia.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007004	Hypoglycemic Agents	Substances which lower blood glucose levels.	Antidiabetic,Antidiabetic Agent,Antidiabetic Drug,Antidiabetics,Antihyperglycemic,Antihyperglycemic Agent,Hypoglycemic,Hypoglycemic Agent,Hypoglycemic Drug,Antidiabetic Agents,Antidiabetic Drugs,Antihyperglycemic Agents,Antihyperglycemics,Hypoglycemic Drugs,Hypoglycemic Effect,Hypoglycemic Effects,Hypoglycemics,Agent, Antidiabetic,Agent, Antihyperglycemic,Agent, Hypoglycemic,Agents, Antidiabetic,Agents, Antihyperglycemic,Agents, Hypoglycemic,Drug, Antidiabetic,Drug, Hypoglycemic,Drugs, Antidiabetic,Drugs, Hypoglycemic,Effect, Hypoglycemic,Effects, Hypoglycemic
D008687	Metformin	A biguanide hypoglycemic agent used in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus not responding to dietary modification. Metformin improves glycemic control by improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing intestinal absorption of glucose. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p289)	Dimethylguanylguanidine,Dimethylbiguanidine,Glucophage,Metformin HCl,Metformin Hydrochloride,HCl, Metformin,Hydrochloride, Metformin
D003924	Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2	A subclass of DIABETES MELLITUS that is not INSULIN-responsive or dependent (NIDDM). It is characterized initially by INSULIN RESISTANCE and HYPERINSULINEMIA; and eventually by GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE; HYPERGLYCEMIA; and overt diabetes. Type II diabetes mellitus is no longer considered a disease exclusively found in adults. Patients seldom develop KETOSIS but often exhibit OBESITY.	Diabetes Mellitus, Adult-Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Ketosis-Resistant,Diabetes Mellitus, Maturity-Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Non-Insulin-Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Slow-Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Stable,MODY,Maturity-Onset Diabetes Mellitus,NIDDM,Diabetes Mellitus, Non Insulin Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Noninsulin Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Noninsulin-Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Type II,Maturity-Onset Diabetes,Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,Type 2 Diabetes,Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus,Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus,Diabetes Mellitus, Adult Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Ketosis Resistant,Diabetes Mellitus, Maturity Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Slow Onset,Diabetes, Maturity-Onset,Diabetes, Type 2,Ketosis-Resistant Diabetes Mellitus,Maturity Onset Diabetes,Maturity Onset Diabetes Mellitus,Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,Noninsulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,Slow-Onset Diabetes Mellitus,Stable Diabetes Mellitus
D003967	Diarrhea	An increased liquidity or decreased consistency of FECES, such as running stool. Fecal consistency is related to the ratio of water-holding capacity of insoluble solids to total water, rather than the amount of water present. Diarrhea is not hyperdefecation or increased fecal weight.	Diarrheas
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000369	Aged, 80 and over	Persons 80 years of age and older.	Oldest Old
D014806	Vitamin B 12 Deficiency	A nutritional condition produced by a deficiency of VITAMIN B 12 in the diet, characterized by megaloblastic anemia. Since vitamin B 12 is not present in plants, humans have obtained their supply from animal products, from multivitamin supplements in the form of pills, and as additives to food preparations. A wide variety of neuropsychiatric abnormalities is also seen in vitamin B 12 deficiency and appears to be due to an undefined defect involving myelin synthesis. (From Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 19th ed, p848)	Deficiency, Vitamin B 12,Deficiency, Vitamin B12,Vitamin B12 Deficiency,Deficiencies, Vitamin B12,Vitamin B12 Deficiencies