SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF SEVERE REFRACTORY SULFONYLUREA-INDUCED HYPOGLYCEMIA WITH OCTREOTIDE

OBJECTIVE - To test the clinical use of ocreotide 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 mug 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.