Sunday, 28 February 2010

Metformin and Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Evidence suggests that metformin lowers vitamin B12 levels in patients with diabetes.
Observational studies have suggested that metformin causes vitamin B12 deficiency in some patients; researchers have proposed several possible mechanisms whereby metformin might interfere with B12 absorption. Understanding this interaction is important, because B12 deficiency could exacerbate neuropathic symptoms in patients with diabetes.
In this prospective case-control study, Canadian investigators identified 122 type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy: Half had taken metformin for at least 6 months, and half had never received metformin. Otherwise, clinical characteristics of the groups were similar.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010