Metformin and Congenital Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a genetic disease. Patients with this disease make large amounts of urine because their kidneys don't hold on to water. The large amount of urine means that patients need to urinate very frequently. They are also at increased risk for dehydration if they don't drink enough. The large amount of urine can sometimes damage their bladders and kidneys. There are some medicines that may help these patients urinate less, but they are not very effective. There is evidence in animal studies that a medication called metformin may help patients with NDI urinate less.