Sulphonylurea‐induced hypoglycaemia in elderly people with diabetes

Abstract

Table. Importantdrug interactions with sulphonylureas Introduction Sulphonylureas are widely prescribed for the management of Type 2 or non-insulindependent diabetes meIlitus (NIDDM). Sulphonylurea-induced hypoglycaemia (SIB) is much less common than insulininduced hypoglycaemia. The incidence of severe SIH with coma has been estimated at 0.19 to 0.25 per 1,000 patient years 1,2 in contrast with insulin-induced hypoglycaemia coma with an incidence of 100 per 1,000 patient years>. However, in everyday clinical practice the prevalence of hypoglycaemic symptoms may be more common. In a recent study from Sheffield, 20% of NIDDM patients treated with sulphonylureas had at least one episode of symptomatic hypoglycaemia in the preceding six months'.