Drug-Induced Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia, means that the blood glucose level is too low to be in a healthy range. Drug- induced means that this low blood glucose level has been caused by drugs or medicines.

What is going on in the body?

Hypoglycemia is a harmful condition that, if left untreated, can cause coma or even death in severe cases. Most of the time, the levels of glucose in the blood are well controlled by the body. Certain kinds of medicine, however, may cause a level of blood glucose that is lower than a healthy range.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Hypoglycemia due to medicines is most often seen in a person with diabetes. The person is often taking medicines, such as insulin shots, to keep the blood glucose from getting too high. A person's blood glucose may get too low because:

Other substances can also cause hypoglycemia in some people, including:

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Hypoglycemia can cause any of these symptoms:

How is the condition diagnosed?

A blood glucose test can be done to measure the level of glucose in the blood and confirm the diagnosis. Hypoglycemia is caused by many factors, and drug-induced hypoglycemia is only one type.

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Although these reactions often cannot be prevented, one should always take medicines as prescribed by the doctor. A person with diabetes can watch his or her blood glucose at home. Medicine can be changed by the doctor if a person notices that his or her blood glucose levels have been on the low side. Sometimes, this change can be made before a severe episode of hypoglycemia occurs.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

It is now thought that repeated or long episodes of hypoglycemia can cause permanent, mild brain damage. Severe hypoglycemia, if left untreated, can lead to a coma or death.

What are the treatments for the condition?

Glucose is given to treat this condition. It may be given:

A person with diabetes may need to have his or her medicine changed if hypoglycemia continues. Others may need to stop taking certain medicines completely or take a lower dose. Stopping the medicine often reverses the condition.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

A change in the type or dose of medicine may cause a return or worsening of the condition that medicine was meant to treat.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

A person with drug-induced hypoglycemia most often recovers quickly once the problem has been named and corrected.

How is the condition monitored?

A person with this condition can watch for symptoms and report them to the doctor. Someone with diabetes should ask the doctor about home glucose monitoring.

Author:Adam Brochert, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:06/28/02
Reviewer:Kathleen A. MacNaughton, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:10/10/02

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