[Iatrogenic diabetes mellitus (side effects and interactions of drugs during clinical diabetes mellitus (author's transl)].

After mentioning insulin deficiency diabetes in animals produced by drugs such as Alloxan, Diazoxide or Streptozotocin only drugs are discussed, which are used in elderly patients and may either provoke diabetes mellitus (or temporary hyperglycemia) or may change the clinical course of diabetes. In the first group endocrine products such as corticosteroids, estrogens, somatotrophic hormone, thyroid hormone, glucagon, somatostatin, catecholamines and hormones with anabolic effects are listed. The second group comprises saluretics, salicylates, amphetamines, pentamidine, nicotinic acid and its derivatives, beta-receptor blockers and finally laxatives. Hypopotassemia alone can also be the cause of hyperglycemia. Speaking of the sulfonylureapreparations, their interaction with alcohol, with phenylbutazone, with some sulfonamides and the effect of the sulfonylureas on peripheric insulin-receptors is discussed. In case of severe diabetic vascular disease the use of anticoagulants may lead to hemorrhages. If such an hemorrhage occurs in the eyes, it may lead to blindness. In diabetic nephropathy the use of phenacetine and its derivatives should be substituted by another medication. This review is not at all complete but should only show some of the problems in the treatment of elderly diabetic patients.