PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Tymms, D. J. AU - Leatherdale, B. A. TI - Lactic acidosis due to metformin therapy in a low risk patient. AID - 10.1136/pgmj.64.749.230 DP - 1988 Mar 01 TA - Postgraduate Medical Journal PG - 230--231 VI - 64 IP - 749 4099 - http://pmj.bmj.com/content/64/749/230.short 4100 - http://pmj.bmj.com/content/64/749/230.full SO - Postgrad Med J1988 Mar 01; 64 AB - A 55 year old diabetic women treated with chlorpropamide and metformin for three years presented with acute oliguric renal failure and lactic acidosis from which she died. The plasma metformin level was very high suggesting that the lactic acidosis was caused by the drug. There were no contraindications to metformin therapy and renal function was normal three months previously. This case demonstrates that lactic acidosis can occur as a result of metformin therapy in the absence of pre-existing risk factors.