VFEND® (voriconazole)-associated hypoglycaemia without identified drug interaction

Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2013 Oct;27(5):570-1. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2012.01062.x. Epub 2012 Jul 27.

Abstract

To report the first case of severe hypoglycaemia episodes related to voriconazole, involving neither over dosage nor any identified interaction with hypoglycaemic drugs. A 51-year-old man developed faints without loss of consciousness, with sweating in the morning for 3-4 days and low blood glucose, about 1 month after initiating voriconazole therapy. Hypoglycaemia was diagnosed and the patient required permanent intravenous glucose solutions for 8 days after voriconazole was stopped, after which glycaemia remained normal. A hyperinsulinaemia peak was observed, which disappeared when glycaemia normalized. Hypoglycaemia is known as a less common adverse event resulting from high voriconazole concentration and hepatic dysfunction. The mechanism of hypoglycaemia may be linked to insulinemia as its serum values are similar to glycaemia. Voriconazole may induce hypoglycaemia in patients without over dosage nor drug interaction.

Keywords: hyperinsulinaemia; hypoglycaemia; voriconazole.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aspergillosis / drug therapy
  • Enterocolitis / drug therapy
  • Glucose / administration & dosage
  • Glucose / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hyperinsulinism / chemically induced
  • Hypoglycemia / blood
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced*
  • Hypoglycemia / physiopathology
  • Hypoglycemia / therapy
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyrimidines / adverse effects*
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Syncope / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triazoles / adverse effects*
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use
  • Voriconazole

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Pyrimidines
  • Triazoles
  • Glucose
  • Voriconazole