Abstract

CEAN, Pilar et al. La asociación del déficit de vitamina B12 y metformina. Rev. Soc. Argent. Diabetes [online]. 2022, vol.56, suppl.1, pp.2-8. ISSN 0325-5247.

Metformin is the most widely used oral antidiabetic agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and the association of the use of this drug with vitamin B12 deficiency has been described.

A review of studies was carried out to find out the evidence of this association and the recommendations for its detection, prevention and treatment. The reported prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in patients treated with metformin ranged from 5.8% to 52% in the different series. Older patients, those who received metformin at high doses and for a longer time, and those who do not consume food of animal origin, are those who are at greater risk of suffering from this deficit.

The determination of vitamin B12 every 1 year is recommended in patients with T2D treated with metformin, and the eventual replacement in case of deficiency. Although there is consensus on the treatment of the deficit, there is still a lack of evidence to make recommendations on a preventive treatment.

Keywords : vitamin B12 deficiency; metformin; diabetes mellitus; type 2.

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