Potentiation of Acetohexamide Hypoglycemia by Phenylbutazone

Abstract

PROLONGED and profound hypoglycemia has occasionally been reported in patients who have been taking the sulfonylurea agents.^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13} This syndrome has not been restricted to diabetic patients, since these drugs have also been used for treatment of other conditions such as Parkinsonism.¹ Hypoglycemia has been observed with tolbutamide, chlorpropamide and acetohexamide. Usually, it has occurred in elderly patients during the initial period of therapy and with doses of the sulfonylurea considered to be in the therapeutic range. The hypoglycemia may persist for as long as ninety-six hours² and may be quite profound, with blood glucose levels as low as 9 mg . . .