ACUTE-RENAL-FAILURE AFTER MASSIVE INGESTION OF GLICLAZIDE IN A SUICIDE ATTEMPT

Gliclazide, a sulfonlyurea class molecule, is used to control glycaemi c levels in non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, acute and chronic toxicity studies, conducted in various animal species, have demonstra ted a very low toxicity. We report a patient who developed acute renal failure due to acute tubular necrosis following a massive ingestion o f gliclazide in an suicide attempt. The patient ingested 28 grams of g liclazide, the normal dose of gliclazide is 80 mg one or once a day. A l admission the patient was hypoglycaemia and in a few days became oli guric with an increase in the serum creatinine concentration but with a normal blood urea nitrogen level. He underwent dialysis and ten days after ingestion of gliclazide, his renal function improved rapidly.