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Drug-induced hypoglycemia

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Food and insulin release
Food and insulin release

Definition    Return to top

Drug-induced hypoglycemia is low blood sugar that results from medication.

Causes    Return to top

All of the following can cause blood sugar (glucose) levels to drop:

Even when diabetes is managed very carefully, the medications used to treat diabetes can result in drug-induced hypoglycemia. The condition may also occur when someone without diabetes takes a medicine used to treat diabetes. In rare cases, non-diabetes-related medicines may cause hypoglycemia.

Medications that can cause drug-induced hypoglycemia include:

Symptoms    Return to top

Symptoms of long-term (chronic) hypoglycemia can include:

Exams and Tests    Return to top

A blood test will show a glucose level of less than 45 mg/dL.

In cases where people without diabetes have taken drugs for the condition, blood tests may show a high insulin level and low C-peptide level. The urine may test positive for sulfonylureas.

Treatment    Return to top

You will be given glucose. The doctor will review your diabetes treatment plan to help prevent future problems.

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

The outlook is good if the hypoglycemia is promptly detected and treated. However, long-term and repeated episodes of hypoglycemia may damage the brain and nerves.

Possible Complications    Return to top

Complications of severe or long-term hypoglycemia include:

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of hypoglycemia. Be sure to mention any medications you believe may be affecting the condition.

Prevention    Return to top

For people with diabetes, strict control of blood sugar is important. This can be done with:

Discuss any planned changes in diet, exercise, travel, weight, or routine with your health care provider. Your treatment plan may be adjusted ahead of time to prevent hypoglycemia.

References    Return to top

Guettier JM. Hypoglycemia. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. Dec 2006; 35(4): 753-66, viii-ix.

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:1444-1445.

Cryer, PE. Glucose Homeostasis and Hypoglycemia. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR. Kronenberg: Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2008:chap 33.

Update Date: 6/17/2008

Updated by: Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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