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Haloperidol‐induced hypoglycaemia in diabetic patients with organic brain disease: Normalization by bromocriptine
Author(s) -
Fäldt R.,
Minthon L.,
Dalfelt G.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.930020206
Subject(s) - bromocriptine , haloperidol , dopamine agonist , medicine , dopamine , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus , anesthesia , psychology , prolactin , hormone , dopaminergic
Spontaneous hypoglycaemia was related to treatment with a commonly used neuroleptic drug (haloperidol) in two diabetic patients with organic brain disease. Hypoglycaemia disappeared when the drug was replaced by a dopamine agonist (bromocriptine). Impaired secretion of growth hormone (GH) was demonstrated in both of the patients during haloperidol medication, or a short time thereafter, and a normalized GH response was found when the patients were treated with bromocriptine. Cerebral ventricular dilatation and subnormal cerebral perfusion were demonstrated in both and a partially empty sella in one of the patients. Organic brain disease and possibly additional endocrine abnormalities might have contributed to hypoglycaemia in our patients. The significance of dopamine‐related neuroendocrine reactions and of GH in counteracting hypoglycaemic stimuli is discussed.