Profound hyperglycemia and metabolic acidosis after verapamil overdose

Abstract

Verapamil, a potent calcium antagonist, possesses varied systemic effects, including smooth muscle relaxation leading to both peripheral and coronary artery vasodilation, slowed atrioventricular nodal conduction and decreased insulin release from the pancreatic B cells. Reports concerning the effects of acute intoxication with verapamil are scarce. A case is presented of a 22 year old woman who developed profound hyperglycemia and metabolic acidosis after the inadvertent overdose of thirty 80 mg tablets (2,400 mg) of verapamil. This case illustrates the need for physicians to be aware of verapamil's inhibitory effects on insulin release and to exercise special care when prescribing verapamil in patients with preexisting diabetes mellitus.