PATIENTS UNDERGOING RADIOLOGICAL PROCEDURES WITH IODINE CONTAINING CONTRAST

Patients on Metformin

  • Metformin should be discontinued where possible at least 48 hours prior to the procedure
  • See patient information leaflet (below) for outpatients attending Ninewells Radiology Department. For these patients, monitoring of U&Es post procedure is done via the Ninewells Diabetes Centre (Level 7)
  • For outpatients attending either PRI or Angus Radiology services, monitoring of U&Es post procedure is done via the appropriate GP surgery
  • If patients need to discontinue Metformin for a prolonged period then consideration needs to be given towards increasing other hypoglycaemic treatments. If in doubt, please contact the Diabetes team for advice

Patients with renal impairment

  • Liase with Renal Physicians especially for patients with CKD stages 3b,4&5 who may require treatment with N-acetylcysteine
  • Ensure the patient is well hydrated prior to the procedure
  • Monitor urea and electrolytes post-procedure after as there may be deterioration

 

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INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS TAKING METFORMIN (GLUCOPHAGE) FOR ORAL DIABETIC CONTROL WHO HAVE RECEIVED INTRAVASCULAR IODINATED CONTRAST

FOR NINEWELLS HOSPITAL RADIOLOGY OUTPATIENT INVESTIGATIONS

After your x-ray examination today, you should STOP TAKING YOUR METFORMIN TABLETS FOR AT LEAST 2 DAYS AND THEN ATTEND THE DIABETES CENTRE TO HAVE YOUR BLOOD CHECKED.

There is a very remote possibility that continuing to take your Metformin tablets for the few days after your x-ray examination could slightly increase the chance of build up of products within your blood giving a situation called lactic acidosis. This could make you feel generally unwell, and would require medical attention.

In order to minimise the chances of this happening, we recommend that you stop taking your Metformin tablets for at least two days after the examination, and then have your blood checked. There are no problems with stopping the Metformin tablets for this period of time and then restarting them, and your diabetic control will not be affected to any significant extent.

Your blood will be checked at THE DIABETES CENTRE AT NINEWELLS HOSPITAL, which is situated on level 7, turn right following entry to main entrance in Ninewells Hospital. The telephone number of the centre is 01382 660111 ext. 33909. It is open at the following times:

Monday 9.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.

Tuesday Not available

Wednesday 1.45 p.m. – 3.30 p.m.

Thursday 1.45 p.m. – 3.30p.m.

Friday 9.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.

You do not need to make an appointment for the test. You will have been told which day to attend when you had your x-ray, and it will be written on the blood test request card that you have been given. In general if you had your x-ray examination on Monday, then you should attend the Diabetes Centre on Wednesday, if your examination was carried out on Tuesday you should attend on Thursday, and if it was carried out on Wednesday you should attend on Friday. If your x-ray examination was carried out on either Thursday or Friday you should attend on the next Monday.

At the Diabetes Centre, your blood will be tested and checked. You will be given the result of the test in about 30 minutes to 1 hour, and you will be advised whether it is appropriate to start taking the metformin tablets again. The aim of theis service is to provide timely investigation and information regarding suitability of your metformin medication.

 

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