Gabapentin-induced hypoglycemia in a long-term peritoneal dialysis patient

Am J Kidney Dis. 2003 Dec;42(6):E3-5. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2003.08.033.

Abstract

An end-stage renal disease patient on long-term peritoneal dialysis was admitted with dizziness, fatigue, hypoglycemia, and hypotension. The hypotension resolved with intravenous normal saline, but the hypoglycemia persisted for 3 days despite an intravenous dextrose drip and discontinuation of gabapentin. The patient became normoglycemic on the fourth day of admission. None of the known causes for the hypoglycemia were identified except gabapentin, the dose of which was recently doubled 1 month before admission. Insulin and C-peptide levels were high during the hypoglycemic episode and returned to normal after discontinuation of gabapentin. The patient remains off gabapentin and has had no further episodes of hypoglycemia. To our knowledge, this is the first case of hypoglycemia induced by gabapentin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / adverse effects*
  • Acetates / pharmacology
  • Amines*
  • C-Peptide / blood
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids*
  • Female
  • Gabapentin
  • Gluconeogenesis
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced*
  • Hypoglycemia / etiology
  • Hypoglycemia / metabolism
  • Hypotension / chemically induced
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Kidney Cortex / metabolism
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / blood*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreas / drug effects
  • Parathyroidectomy
  • Peritoneal Dialysis
  • Postoperative Complications / chemically induced
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid*

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Amines
  • C-Peptide
  • Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
  • Insulin
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Gabapentin