Insulin glargine overdose

Abstract

Insulin glargine is a long acting novel recombinant human insulin analogue indicated to improve glycemic control, in adults and children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The time course of action of insulins including insulin glargine may vary between individuals and/or within the same individual. Insulin glargine is given as a 24-h dosing regimen and has no documented half-life or peak effect. Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse effect of insulin, including insulin glargine. As with all insulins, the timing of hypoglycemia may differ among various insulin formulations. We present a case of a 76-year-old male insulin-dependent diabetic patient with refractory hypoglycemia secondary to an intentional overdose of insulin glargine. We would like to highlight the necessity of prolonging IV glucose infusion, for a much longer period than expected from pharmacokinetic properties of these insulin analogues after intentional massive overdose.

Keywords: Hypoglycemia; Insulin glargine; lantus; overdose; suicide attempted.

Figure 1

Serum glucose levels (mg/dl) during the hospitalization period.