Unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity due to a drug–drug interaction: a case report
Abstract Background Sulfonylureas are widely used for type 2 diabetes mellitus, but these medications carry a risk of hypoglycemia. Drug–drug interactions that inhibit sulfonylurea metabolism and thus increase systemic exposure can cause unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity. Case presentation A 56-ye...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2018-05-01
|
| Series: | BMC Research Notes |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13104-018-3404-8 |
| _version_ | 1818479085211353088 |
|---|---|
| author | Keith Gunaratne Emily Austin Peter E. Wu |
| author_facet | Keith Gunaratne Emily Austin Peter E. Wu |
| author_sort | Keith Gunaratne |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Sulfonylureas are widely used for type 2 diabetes mellitus, but these medications carry a risk of hypoglycemia. Drug–drug interactions that inhibit sulfonylurea metabolism and thus increase systemic exposure can cause unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity. Case presentation A 56-year-old man presented with severe, recurrent hypoglycemia. He had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and was taking the sulfonylurea gliclazide with no prior episodes of hypoglycemia. The onset of his hypoglycemia occurred within days after starting voriconazole and subsequently fluconazole for a fungal pneumonia. Unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity developed due to an adverse drug–drug interaction between gliclazide and these antifungals. Azole antifungals inhibit the metabolism of sulfonylureas resulting in increased systemic exposure and consequent toxicity. After the diagnosis of sulfonylurea toxicity was recognized, the patient was treated initially with dextrose and then administered octreotide to prevent recurrent hypoglycemia. He was successfully managed, his hypoglycemic episodes resolved, and his medications were adjusted to avoid any further adverse interactions. Conclusions Adverse drug–drug interactions continue to pose challenges to clinicians. Both individual vigilance and system wide strategies are needed to prevent and mitigate consequences. This case highlights an important drug–drug interaction and reviews the presentation, management and antidotal therapy of sulfonylurea toxicity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T09:56:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fcfe9467d0fb45528859558b1a1a4789 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-0500 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T09:56:35Z |
| publishDate | 2018-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Research Notes |
| spelling | doaj.art-fcfe9467d0fb45528859558b1a1a47892022-12-22T01:53:28ZengBMCBMC Research Notes1756-05002018-05-011111310.1186/s13104-018-3404-8Unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity due to a drug–drug interaction: a case reportKeith Gunaratne0Emily Austin1Peter E. Wu2Department of Medicine, University of TorontoDepartment of Medicine, University of TorontoDepartment of Medicine, University of TorontoAbstract Background Sulfonylureas are widely used for type 2 diabetes mellitus, but these medications carry a risk of hypoglycemia. Drug–drug interactions that inhibit sulfonylurea metabolism and thus increase systemic exposure can cause unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity. Case presentation A 56-year-old man presented with severe, recurrent hypoglycemia. He had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and was taking the sulfonylurea gliclazide with no prior episodes of hypoglycemia. The onset of his hypoglycemia occurred within days after starting voriconazole and subsequently fluconazole for a fungal pneumonia. Unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity developed due to an adverse drug–drug interaction between gliclazide and these antifungals. Azole antifungals inhibit the metabolism of sulfonylureas resulting in increased systemic exposure and consequent toxicity. After the diagnosis of sulfonylurea toxicity was recognized, the patient was treated initially with dextrose and then administered octreotide to prevent recurrent hypoglycemia. He was successfully managed, his hypoglycemic episodes resolved, and his medications were adjusted to avoid any further adverse interactions. Conclusions Adverse drug–drug interactions continue to pose challenges to clinicians. Both individual vigilance and system wide strategies are needed to prevent and mitigate consequences. This case highlights an important drug–drug interaction and reviews the presentation, management and antidotal therapy of sulfonylurea toxicity.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13104-018-3404-8EducationToxicologyPharmacologyDrug-interaction |
| spellingShingle | Keith Gunaratne Emily Austin Peter E. Wu Unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity due to a drug–drug interaction: a case report BMC Research Notes Education Toxicology Pharmacology Drug-interaction |
| title | Unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity due to a drug–drug interaction: a case report |
| title_full | Unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity due to a drug–drug interaction: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity due to a drug–drug interaction: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity due to a drug–drug interaction: a case report |
| title_short | Unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity due to a drug–drug interaction: a case report |
| title_sort | unintentional sulfonylurea toxicity due to a drug drug interaction a case report |
| topic | Education Toxicology Pharmacology Drug-interaction |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13104-018-3404-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT keithgunaratne unintentionalsulfonylureatoxicityduetoadrugdruginteractionacasereport AT emilyaustin unintentionalsulfonylureatoxicityduetoadrugdruginteractionacasereport AT peterewu unintentionalsulfonylureatoxicityduetoadrugdruginteractionacasereport |