Anemia Associated with Metformin

Data from three studies support this association; vitamin B₁₂ deficiency doesn't appear to be the usual explanation.

Not uncommonly, patients with type 2 diabetes develop mild anemia. Early diabetic kidney disease might be responsible in some cases, but in other cases, the cause is unclear. Long-term metformin use has been associated with lower vitamin B₁₂ levels but not necessarily with overt anemia from B₁₂ deficiency. In this analysis, researchers explored associations between metformin and anemia, using data from the following previously published studies: ADOPT (a randomized comparison of metformin, rosiglitazone, and glyburide; NEJM JW Gen Med Jan 1 2007 and N Engl J Med 2006; 355:2427); UKPDS (a randomized comparison of metformin, sulfonylureas, and insulin; NEJM JW Gen Med Oct 15 1998 and Lancet 1998; 352:832, 837); and GoDARTS (a cohort study; In…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Anemia Associated with Metformin

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Reviewing Author