Monday, June 14, 2010

Long-Term Metformin Treatment Linked to Vitamin B12 Deficiency

A recent study found long-term metformin treatment is linked to vitamin B12 deficiency.

Metformin is considered a cornerstone in the treatment of diabetes and is the most frequently prescribed first line therapy for individuals with type 2 diabetes. It is one of a few antihyperglycaemic agents associated with improvements in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, which is a major cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes.

However, metformin can induce vitamin B-12 malabsorption, which may increase the risk of developing vitamin B-12 deficiency — a clinically important and treatable condition

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