Abstract

AIM: Metformin should be considered a first-line oral antidiabetic agent, particulary in obese or hyperlipidemic Type II diabetic patients. Metformin helps to control weights, serum lipids and blood pressure in diabetic patients. Metformin causes gastrointestinal side effects. The most dangcrous but rare side efect is lactic acidosis. Metformin causcs B12 vitamine malabsorbtion. MATERIAL and METHOD: Two groups were made for this study. Forty type II diabetic patiants who were using metformine and forty type II diabetic patients who were using insulin theraphy. Were measured vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in serums and hemograms of ali patients. RESULTS: Serum B12 and folic acid levels were lower in metformin group than insulin group. 8 patiens of metformin group had low serum B12 levels and 3 of them had megaloblastic anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that metformin causes Vitamin B12 malabsorbtion.