Emergency management of oral hypoglycemic drug toxicity

Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2007 May;25(2):347-56; abstract viii. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2007.02.010.

Abstract

There are several classes of oral diabetes medications available in the United States, including sulfonylureas, meglitinides, biguanides, glitazones, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. These different classes have various mechanisms of action, giving each class a unique potential for toxicity that necessitates a distinct approach to evaluation, treatment, and disposition of each class of drug. The practicing emergency physician must have an understanding of these differences to safely care for patients exposed to these medications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Antidotes / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Glucose / therapeutic use*
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced*
  • Hypoglycemia / drug therapy
  • Hypoglycemia / physiopathology
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / metabolism
  • Sulfonylurea Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Sulfonylurea Compounds / adverse effects*
  • Sulfonylurea Compounds / metabolism

Substances

  • Antidotes
  • Blood Glucose
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Sulfonylurea Compounds
  • Glucose