Open AccessSevere recurrent hypoglycaemia following discontinuation of olanzapine
Author(s) -
Sarah Steven,
Rahul Nayar
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acute medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1747-4892
pISSN - 1747-4884
DOI - 10.52964/amja.0458
Subject(s) - medicine , olanzapine , discontinuation , diabetic ketoacidosis , insulin , diabetes mellitus , ketoacidosis , pediatrics , insulin resistance , intensive care medicine , endocrinology , type 1 diabetes , psychiatry , schizophrenia (object oriented programming)
Severe hypoglycaemia is a diagnostic challenge.1 It is often explained by mismatch between insulin doses, food ingestion and exercise. Recurrent hypoglycaemia can indicate underlying medical problems. Drug related events usually concern insulin or sulphonylureas. However, withdrawal of drugs which can cause insulin resistance can be causative if insulin or sulphonylureas continue.2We report the case of an insulin-treated patient who presented with severe recurrent hypoglycaemia. After exclusion of secondary causes of hypoglycaemia it was established that at the time of diagnosis of diabetes he had been taking olanzapine. This had subsequently been discontinued. Olanzapine is recognised to cause diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis. Our patient was able to discontinue insulin therapy.