Diazoxide in the management of chlorpropamide overdose

Three cases of chlorpropamide overdose are reported. Plasma levels of chlorpropamide, diazoxide, glucose, and insulin are presented for each patient during treatment. The simultaneous analysis of chlorpropamide, hydrochlorothiazide, and diazoxide in plasma by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) is also reported. Although all three cases presented at hospital with potentially lethal plasma levels of chlorpropamide, each was successfully treated with intravenous diazoxide and glucose. Plasma diazoxide concentrations between 50-100 microgram/mL appear to be optimal in achieving therapeutic control of chlorpropamide induced hypoglycemia.