Oral Hypoglycemic Agent Toxicity
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Oral hypoglycemic agents—sulfonylureas—which are used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes, [1] are among the most widely prescribed medications in the world. Wide availability of these medications increases the potential for either intentional or unintentional overdose in pediatric and adult populations. [2]
First-generation sulfonylurea compounds became widely available in 1955. They are acetohexamide, chlorpropamide, tolazamide, and tolbutamide. First-generation agents have long half-lives (eg, 49 hours for chlorpropamide). Second-generation sulfonylureas were introduced in 1984 and include glipizide, glyburide, and glimepiride. Second-generation sulfonylureas are more potent and have shorter half-lives than the first-generation sulfonylureas.
Other agents besides sulfonylureas are used to treat type 2 diabetes, including biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and thiazolidinediones. Metformin (Glucophage in the United States), a biguanide, is one such agent. [3] Even in overdose, these agents do not decrease serum glucose below euglycemia; consequently, they are appropriately referred to as antihyperglycemic agents rather than hypoglycemic agents. Although overdose of antihyperglycemic agents can have dangerous adverse effects (for example, lactic acidosis from metformin [4] ), this article focuses on acute overdose of sulfonylureas.
Hypoglycemia from sulfonylureas can result from small doses, can be delayed in onset, and can be persistent. Prolonged observation and intensive care to restore and maintain euglycemia may be required. [5] (See Treatment and Medication.)
Sulfonylureas are sulfonamide derivatives but do not have any antibacterial activity. The exact mechanism of sulfonylureas’ hypoglycemic effect remains to be elucidated. These drugs are mainly effective in patients with functional pancreatic beta cells. Sulfonylureas bind to receptors that are associated with potassium channels sensitive to adenosine triphosphate in beta-cell membrane. The binding inhibits efflux of potassium ions from the cells, resulting in depolarization, influx of calcium ions, and release of preformed insulin. Sulfonylureas may also cause the decrease of serum glucagon and potentiate the action of insulin at the extrapancreatic tissues.
Normal hypoglycemic counterregulation is illustrated in the image below.
United States
The American Association of Poison Control Centers’ (AAPCC) National Data Collection System compiles an annual report of human poison exposure cases. Overall, the number of exposures to oral sulfonylureas fell between 2006 and 2013 but increased in 2014. [6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16] Most exposures are in the pediatric population and are due to unintentional ingestion.
Table. Sulfonylurea exposures reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ National Data Collection System from 2006-2015 (Open Table in a new window)
Year
Exposures
<6 Years
≥6 Years
Unintentional Exposures
Overall Mortality*
Pediatric Mortality
2006
1951
974
903
1647
1
0
2007
1975
991
890
1666
0
0
2008
1850
987
808
1571
0
0
2009
1769
922
769
1515
1
0
2010
1712
898
745
1453
0
0
2011
1687
804
807
1404
1†
–
2012
1753
850
798
1449
1†
–
2013
1590
778
762
1340
0
0
*Overall mortality includes adult and pediatric cases † Patient age not noted
No racial or sex predilection has been reported in oral hypoglycemic agent exposure. Toxicity can occur in all ages, but most hypoglycemic overdoses occur in persons 6-19 years old.
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Year
Exposures
<6 Years
≥6 Years
Unintentional Exposures
Overall Mortality*
Pediatric Mortality
2006
1951
974
903
1647
1
0
2007
1975
991
890
1666
0
0
2008
1850
987
808
1571
0
0
2009
1769
922
769
1515
1
0
2010
1712
898
745
1453
0
0
2011
1687
804
807
1404
1†
–
2012
1753
850
798
1449
1†
–
2013
1590
778
762
1340
0
0
*Overall mortality includes adult and pediatric cases † Patient age not noted
David Tran, MD Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, North Shore-LIJ Plainview Hospital
David Tran, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Jeffrey R Tucker, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Disclosure: Received salary from Merck for employment.
Timothy E Corden, MD Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Co-Director, Policy Core, Injury Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin; Associate Director, PICU, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Timothy E Corden, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Phi Beta Kappa, Society of Critical Care Medicine, Wisconsin Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Michael E Mullins, MD Assistant Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, Washington University in St Louis School of Medicine; Attending Physician, Emergency Department, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Michael E Mullins, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American College of Emergency Physicians
Disclosure: Received stock ownership from Johnson & Johnson for none; Received stock ownership from Savient Pharmaceuticals for none.
The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author Michael Lucchesi, MD, to the original writing and development of this article.
Oral Hypoglycemic Agent Toxicity
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