Depletes Thiamine Vitamin B1. This medication is commonly used for Diabetes
Biguanides, such as Metformin or Metformin combinations with other drugs, may contribute to reduced levels of thiamine (vitamin B1) in end-stage renal failure patients. Research has found metformin encephalopathy present in patients on hemodialysis for end-stage diabetic renal failure (ESRD). Patients with ESRD should consider having thiamine (vitamin B1) status monitored and supplementing with thiamine when levels are insufficient or deficient.
Meyer MJ, et al. Differences in Metformin and Thiamine Uptake between Human and Mouse Organic Cation Transporter 1: Structural Determinants and Potential Consequences for Intrahepatic Concentrations. Drug Metab Dispos. 2020 Dec;48(12):1380-1392. McGarvey C, Franconi C, Prentice D, Bynevelt M. Metformin-induced encephalopathy: the role of thiamine. Intern Med J. 2018 Feb;48(2):194-197. Liang X, Chien HC, Yee SW, Giacomini MM, Chen EC, Piao M, Hao J, Twelves J, Lepist EI, Ray AS, Giacomini KM. Metformin Is a Substrate and Inhibitor of the Human Thiamine Transporter, THTR-2 (SLC19A3). Mol Pharm. 2015 Dec 7;12(12):4301-10. Chen L, et al. OCT1 is a high-capacity thiamine transporter that regulates hepatic steatosis and is a target of metformin. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Jul 8;111(27):9983-8.
Thiamine Vitamin B1 — 10mg