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Published on: June 11, 2012
Hyperglycemia induced by megestrol acetate in a patient with AIDS
L Gonzalez Del Valle1, A Herrero Ambrosio, P Martinez Hernandez
1Pharmacy Department, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
Objective:
To report a case of hyperglycemia induced by megestrol acetate in a patient with AIDS.
Case Summary:
A 28-year-old man with AIDS developed hyperglycemia requiring insulin therapy 5 days after beginning megestrol therapy. The hyperglycemia resolved with discontinuation of the agent and treatment with insulin, and recurred 2 years later, when megestrol acetate treatment was rechallenged. In this case the patient had developed hyperglycemia and pancreatitis 1 year before, related to pentamidine therapy.
Discussion:
To our knowledge this is the first reported case of hyperglycemia that was induced by megestrol acetate as early as 5 days after beginning therapy and confirmed by rechallenge. The mechanism of action is unclear.
Conclusions:
Clinicians caring for patients with AIDS-related cachexia should be aware that megestrol acetate can cause a severe but reversible hyperglycemic state.
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