Metformin-induced hemolytic anemia
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report a rare side effect of metformin, an oral antidiabetic drug that is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 17-year-old boy was hospitalized for receiving acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment that was composed of vincristine, L-asparaginase, daunorubicin, and prednisone. Hyperglycemia was determined without any clinical sign and metformin was started for steroid-induced insulin resistance. On the second day of metformin treatment, the patient's hemoglobin level decreased, and a direct Coombs test was positive for immunoglobulin G but negative for complement. An indirect Coombs test was negative. The glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase level was within the normal range. Drug-induced hemolytic anemia was suspected and metformin was discontinued. The jaundice gradually disappeared and there was no requirement for red blood cell transfusions.
CONCLUSION: This case showed that physicians should be aware of the potential side effect of metformin although it is infrequent.
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Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
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