[Hyponatremia induced by hypoglycemic sulfonamides: a study of 70 patients]

Sodium plasma level was followed every three months in 70 non insulin dependent diabetic patients; 112 prescriptions were performed. Five different oral hypoglycemic drugs were used but patients were taken no more than one drug in the same time. 21% of prescription were associated with a low sodium plasma level but it was beneath 129 meq in only 8% of them; a low sodium plasma level was observed with every oral hypoglycemic agent; when the drug was interrupted a normal sodium plasma level was restored; when patients were put under another agent, hyponatremia did not recidive. 67% of patients were free of any symptom. Interference with biological parameters, age of the patients, duration of diabetes and other therapy are studied.