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 μg 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.