Does metformin increase the risk of contrast induced nephropathy?
No. Metformin, an oral antihyperglycemic drug often used to treat non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, does not confer an increased risk of CIN. However, patients taking metformin who develop renal insufficiency following intravascular iodinated contrast administration may be at increased risk to develop lactic acidosis. Therefore, metformin is temporarily discontinued prior to contrast administration, withheld for 48 hours after contrast administration, and reinstituted only after renal function has been reassessed and found to be normal.
