Glibenclamide misuse

Abstract

Factitious hypoglycaemia: case report A 20-year-old woman developed factitious hypoglycaemia following self-administration of glibenclamide [route, dosages duration of treatment to reaction onset and outcome not stated]. The woman was hospitalised for severe hypoglycaemia (1.5 mmol/L). Her clinical examination, liver, kidney and thyroid tests were normal. Hormonal assays showed high cortisol levels, and very high and unsuitable insulin and c-peptide levels. During further investigation, it was found that, she used to give glibenclamide daily to her diabetic mother. A plasma examination at the time of hypoglycaemia and every 30 minutes for the following three hours showed the presence of glibenclamide. Hence, it was concluded that, she had developed factitious hypoglycaemia (dummy hypoglycaemia) due to self-administration of glibenclamide (drug misuse).