Hypoglycemia associated with the use of gatifloxacin

We present the histories, clinical findings, and hospital course of three patients who developed hypoglycemia after receiving gatifloxacin. Possible mechanisms for the hypoglycemia are outlined. CASE 1: A 89-year-old diabetic male receiving glyburide was given a single dose of gatifloxacin for bronchitis. Thirteen hours later, he was found to be unresponsive with a blood glucose level of 34 mg/dL. The hypoglycemia resolved within 24 hours of stopping gatifloxacin. CASE 2: A 80-year-old nondiabetic woman with end-stage renal disease and recent surgery was treated with gatifloxacin, cefepime, and metronidazole for pneumonia. Sixteen hours later, her serum glucose level was 61 mg/dL, and over the next 24 hours was as low as 39 mg/dL. The hypoglycemia resolved within 40 hours of stopping gatifloxacin. CASE 3: A 58-year-old diabetic man receiving glyburide was admitted for myocardial infarction and renal failure. Twelve hours after receiving gatifloxacin for pneumonia, his blood glucose level was 60 mg/dL and was as low as 42 mg/dL between 2 and 22.5 hours of a second dose of gatifloxacin. The hypoglycemia resolved within 24 hours of stopping gatifloxacin.

Gatifloxacin use may precipitate hypoglycemia in diabetic patients receiving oral hypoglycemic agents and in nondiabetic patients with chronic renal failure. Discontinuation of gatifloxacin results in improvement in glucose homeostasis.