Prolonged Hypoglycemia Following Acetohexamide Administration: Report of Two Cases with Impaired Renal Function

Abstract

In 1 case the hypoglycemia lasted 8 days after withdrawal of the drug, representing the longest recorded such reaction to the sulfonylureas. The cause for the prolonged reactions in these 2 cases appeared to be the renal retention of acetohexamide metabolites possessing unaltered hypoglycemia potency. A classification of the pathogenesis of prolonged hypoglycemia secondary to sulfonylureas is given and related to the two reported patients.