Help with a med

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Specializes in Step-Down NICU/PICU.

Hello Allnurses...i;ve been tripped up here with s question...Anyone know when a pt is recieving gastrografin and is a diabetic, why metformin is held?...I know why he recieved the gastrographin solution but he only gets his glucose checked every 24hrs...however is there a reason why the metformin is held?...can someone shine a light?..lol...greatly appreciated...:heartbeat:typing

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Specializes in Step-Down NICU/PICU.

sorry my spelling is so bad today!..lol..have been working on a million and one assignments this weekend...*sigh* the way nursing schools LOVE to kill a holiday weekend..lol...

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You piqued my curiosity since I volunteer in a diabetes education program. This is what I found 4 U...

http://www.drugs.com/pro/gastrografin.htmldiatrizoate ⇔ metformin

s3.jpg Major Drug Interaction

Applies to: Gastrografin (diatrizoate) and metformin2.gif

CONTRAINDICATED: Administration of intravascular iodinated radiocontrast media in patients treated with biguanides such as metformin may precipitate lactic acidosis, a rare but potentially serious and fatal complication of biguanide therapy. Iodinated contrast material can cause acute alterations in renal function, including acute renal failure2.gif, which is a known risk factor for biguanide-induced lactic acidosis. MANAGEMENT: Biguanide therapy should be temporarily discontinued at the time of, or prior to, radiographic studies involving intravascular administration of iodinated contrast media, and not resumed until at least 48 hours after the procedure and renal function has been re-evaluated and determined to be normal.

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Specializes in Step-Down NICU/PICU.

oh wow...this is great info thank you very much..interesting...i really didnt think it was THAT serious...i knew it may have had some sort of effect , however fatal?..good to know..thank u very much for taking the time...i clicked on the link..very informative.. :)

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You're welcome-

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

not only is renal complication a possibility....also, blood sugars flucuate wildly while the gastrogriffin gets out of the system...

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metformin with any dye (IV or PO) can potentially cause renal failure. Rule of thumb, stop metformin x24hr prior and x48hr post procedure. Have seen pts still have renal issues while off their metformin, and other pts have developed renal issues without ever being on metformin. Nice drug...nasty reactions with dyes.

Hope this helps.

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