Successful treatment of severe refractory sulfonylurea-induced hypoglycemia with octreotide.

OBJECTIVE

To test the clinical use of octreotide in the treatment of sulfonylurea-induced hypoglycemia.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND

METHODS

A case is reported of sulfonylurea-induced hypoglycemic coma in a nondiabetic subject, which was complicated by relapse of hypoglycemia after resuscitation with intravenous dextrose. Subcutaneous octreotide, 50 micrograms 12 hourly, suppressed stimulated endogenous insulin secretion, thereby preventing a further recurrence of hypoglycemia.

RESULTS

No adverse effects of treatment were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest a significant role for octreotide as an adjunct to intravenous dextrose in the management of severe and refractory cases of sulfonylurea-induced hypoglycemia.