Rofecoxib Metformin

Lactic acidosis in a patient taking metformin and rofecoxib has been attributed to renal damage by the latter. 

A 58-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes taking metformin 500 mg bd took rofecoxib for 1 month for osteoarthritis of the knees and developed lactic acidosis (149). 

Price G. Metformin lactic acidosis, acute renal failure and rofecoxib. Br J Anaesth 2003 91 909-10. 

A 58-year-old woman with longstanding type 2 diabetes taking metformin 500 mg twiee daily developed serious acute renal failure and lactic acidosis one month after starting rofecoxib. She made a full recovery. Rofecoxib could have precipitated acute renal failure, which would lead to the accumulation of metformin, and metformin-associated lactic acidosis. For a case of hypoglycaemia attributed to ramipril and naproxen-induced renal failure in a patient taking metformin and glibenclamide, see Glibenclamide, below. 

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