Intentional massive insulin overdose: recognition and management. 1993

R J Roberge, and T G Martin, and T R Delbridge
Toxicology Treatment Program, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania.

A case of intentional massive insulin overdose requiring prolonged glycemic support is presented. Suicidal insulin overdose may be more common than generally appreciated. Because hypoglycemic reactions are evaluated routinely in the ED, emergency physicians should maintain a high degree of suspicion regarding suicidal intent or foul play in diabetics with hypoglycemia who respond minimally to the administration of concentrated glucose solutions or in hypoglycemic presentations by nondiabetics who have access to diabetic medications. Fingerstick glucose evaluations or serum glucose levels should be obtained routinely at 15 to 30 minutes after glucose administration in any hypoglycemic patient to gauge the intensity of glucose use. Inability to maintain euglycemia following glucose administration suggests excessive insulin and requires further workup. Evaluation of serum insulin and C-peptide levels is useful in confirming intentional overdoses in cases that are not clear-cut. Glucose infusion rates must be tailored individually to each overdose situation as great individual variability exists in insulin absorption and effects. The clinician should anticipate the possible need for prolonged glycemic support in this setting.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007003 Hypoglycemia A syndrome of abnormally low BLOOD GLUCOSE level. Clinical hypoglycemia has diverse etiologies. Severe hypoglycemia eventually lead to glucose deprivation of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM resulting in HUNGER; SWEATING; PARESTHESIA; impaired mental function; SEIZURES; COMA; and even DEATH. Fasting Hypoglycemia,Postabsorptive Hypoglycemia,Postprandial Hypoglycemia,Reactive Hypoglycemia,Hypoglycemia, Fasting,Hypoglycemia, Postabsorptive,Hypoglycemia, Postprandial,Hypoglycemia, Reactive
D007328 Insulin A 51-amino acid pancreatic hormone that plays a major role in the regulation of glucose metabolism, directly by suppressing endogenous glucose production (GLYCOGENOLYSIS; GLUCONEOGENESIS) and indirectly by suppressing GLUCAGON secretion and LIPOLYSIS. Native insulin is a globular protein comprised of a zinc-coordinated hexamer. Each insulin monomer containing two chains, A (21 residues) and B (30 residues), linked by two disulfide bonds. Insulin is used as a drug to control insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 1). Iletin,Insulin A Chain,Insulin B Chain,Insulin, Regular,Novolin,Sodium Insulin,Soluble Insulin,Chain, Insulin B,Insulin, Sodium,Insulin, Soluble,Regular Insulin
D008297 Male Males
D001786 Blood Glucose Glucose in blood. Blood Sugar,Glucose, Blood,Sugar, Blood
D004630 Emergencies Situations or conditions requiring immediate intervention to avoid serious adverse results. Emergency
D005947 Glucose A primary source of energy for living organisms. It is naturally occurring and is found in fruits and other parts of plants in its free state. It is used therapeutically in fluid and nutrient replacement. Dextrose,Anhydrous Dextrose,D-Glucose,Glucose Monohydrate,Glucose, (DL)-Isomer,Glucose, (alpha-D)-Isomer,Glucose, (beta-D)-Isomer,D Glucose,Dextrose, Anhydrous,Monohydrate, Glucose
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D062787 Drug Overdose Accidental or deliberate use of a medication or street drug in excess of normal dosage. Drug Overdoses,Overdose, Drug,Overdoses, Drug

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