[Drug-induced harm due to antidiabetics]

A review of the complications which are of importance for the use of antidiabetic agents is given. As a consequence of too intensive a hypoglycaemic effect lesions may be provoked by sulfonylureas and insulin. Additionally, under treatment with different insulin preparations allergical side effects are possible. As an essential complication provoked by biguanides a lactic acidosis may be elicited which--though seldom occurring--then in most cases takes a fatal course. Lesions as a consequence of treatment with oral antidiabetic agents to a high degree be avoided by using them in accordance with their indication. In the case insulin the lesions ensuing immunological reactions are only to be avoided or reduced as far as the pharmaceutical industry succeeds in reducing the antigenicity of insulin preparations.