Norfloxacin-induced hypoglycemia and urticaria

Fluoroquinolone-induced hypoglycemia is not a common adverse drug reaction. However, it has been reported with most of the available agents and appears to be more common in elderly patients with a history of type 2 diabetes who are receiving oral sulfonylureas. The exact mechanism of this effect is unknown but is postulated to be a result of blockage of Adenosine 5'-Triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channels in pancreatic β-cell membranes. This report highlights hypoglycemia with urticaria as an adverse drug reaction of norfloxacin in a middle aged non-diabetic patient. Clinicians should be alert about the possibility of its potential adverse effect in patients who are receiving norfloxacin therapy.