Co-trimoxazole administration: a rare cause of hypoglycemia in elderly persons
Rutschmann, O.T.; Wicki, J.; Micheli, P.; Kondo Oestreicher, M.; Guillermin Spahr, M.L.; Droz, M.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift 128(31-32): 1171-1174
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7672 PMID: 9738275 Document Number: 491341
We report a case of severe hypoglycaemia following co-trimoxazole therapy. An 88-year-old woman was admitted with urinary tract infection and treated with co-trimoxazole (960 mg bid). Seven days after initiation of the treatment she became comatose. Blood sugar was 1.3 mmol/l and C-peptide at the upper limit of normal range. Glucose infusion restored normal consciousness and no hypoglycaemia recurred after interruption of co-trimoxazole therapy. Advanced aged was the only risk factor identified. Other risk factors described in previous case reports are renal failure, poor nutritional state and high doses of co-trimoxazole.