Can you take metformin if you had a stroke?

Although diabetes and hyperglycemia are well-known risk factors for stroke, the beneficial effects of metformin on stroke outcomes are independent of its glucose-reducing effects [12]. These results indicate that metformin could be developed into a disease-modifying drug to treat stroke.

Why can metformin cause lactic acidosis?

The pathophysiology of lactic acidosis from metformin is likely due to inhibition of gluconeogenesis by blocking pyruvate carboxylase, the first step of gluconeogenesis, which converts pyruvate to oxaloacetate. Blocking this enzyme leads to accumulation of lactic acid.

Can you get lactic acidosis from metformin?

Metformin rarely, if ever, causes lactic acidosis when it is used as labeled. Metformin is associated with lactic acidosis in patients with conditions that can themselves cause lactic acidosis (heart failure, hypoxia, sepsis, etc.).

Can metformin prevent strokes?

Metformin, a first-line drug for glycemic control in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)7, has been shown to markedly reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in diabetic patients with normal renal function8,9.

Does metformin Increase risk of stroke?

What Are the Clinical Implications? Our findings indicate that in hemodialysis patients with type 2 DM, metformin users had a significantly higher risk of stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke) than nonusers, regardless of antihypertensive, sulfonylurea, or antiplatelet drug use.

Can you recover from a diabetic stroke?

Poststroke, patients with diabetes are predisposed to a slower and poorer recovery of function, even after adjusting for factors such as stroke severity and age (1–4).

What are the dangers in taking metformin?

Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, weakness, or a metallic taste in the mouth may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If stomach symptoms return later (after taking the same dose for several days or weeks), tell your doctor right away.

Why you should avoid metformin?

The current drug labeling strongly recommends against metformin use in some patients whose kidneys do not work normally because use of metformin in these patients can increase the risk of developing a serious and potentially deadly condition called lactic acidosis, in which too much lactic acid builds up in the blood.

Is there an alternative to metformin?

Three new treatments for type 2 diabetes have been recommended by NICE, for patients who cannot use metformin, sulfonylurea or pioglitazone. The treatments are also suitable for patients who are not controlling their blood glucose levels with diet and exercise alone, to manage their condition.

Are there any cases of metformin-associated lactic acidosis?

We present two case reports of metformin-associated lactic acidosis. The first case is a 77 year old female with a past medical history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus who had recently been prescribed metformin (3 g/day), perindopril and acetylsalicylic acid.

How often does metformin cause hypoxia and sepsis?

Metformin can be associated with lactic acidosis in patients with other clinical conditions that can themselves cause hyperlactacidemia, namely heart failure, hypoxia and sepsis. The overall incidence of this complication is 0.05 cases per 1,000 patient-years.

What are the side effects of metformin and heart failure?

Contraindications 1 Renal dysfunction. 2 Congestive cardiac failure needing drug treatment. 3 Hypersensitivity to metformin. 4 Acute or chronic metabolic acidosis. 5 Impaired hepatic function.

How does metformin affect Type 2 diabetes mellitus?

First, this potential event still influences treatment strategies in type 2 diabetes mellitus, particularly in the many patients at risk of kidney failure, in those presenting contraindications to metformin and in the elderly.