Metformin in Moderate and Severe Renal Failure (CKD 3-4): A Follow-up Study

A first open-label pilot study at different stages of CKD (1-5) (concerning whether or not metformin use is safe provided a dose adjustment is used) has evaluated (i) metformin levels in plasma and in erythrocytes according to an increasing metformin dosage and CKD severity (1-5) and (ii) the prevalence of lactate levels ≥2.5 mmol/L in CKD 3-5. All patients underwent 3 one-week- blocks of metformin treatment at an increasing dosage, each of which followed by a one week-wash- out period: 500 mg/day in the evening (E) in phase 1; 1,000 mg/day (500 mg morning (M) and E) in phase 2; 2,000 mg/day (1,000 mg M and E) in phase 3.

Steady-state trough blood levels were assayed 12 hours after the last dose of metformin. In this study a progressive dose-related increase of the trough metformin levels were observed and in particular in severe CKD stages. No case of severe hyperlactatemia was reported in this study. In continue, the investigators thought to conduct a new study to evaluate safety of metformin in mid-term period of time. For this purpose, metformin will be given at a fixed dose during 4 months: 1) 1,500 mg/day (500 mg M and 1,000 mg E) in stage 3a; 2) 1,000 mg/day (500 mg M and E) in stage 3b; and 3) 500 mg/day (M) in stage 4. Metformin levels in plasma and in erythrocytes, venous lactate, and HbA1c levels will be measured at 1, 2, 3 and 4 months for assessment of safety.