COTRIMOXAZOLE THERAPY - A RARE CAUSE OF HYPOGLYCEMIA IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

We report a case of severe hypoglycaemia following co-trimoxazole ther apy. An 88-year-old woman was admitted with urinary tract infection an d treated with co-trimoxazole (960 mg bid). Seven days after initiatio n of the treatment she became comatose. Blood sugar was 1.3 mmol/l and C-peptide at the upper limit of normal range. Glucose infusion restor ed normal consciousness and no hypoglycaemia recurred after interrupti on of co-trimoxazole therapy. Advanced aged was the only risk factor i dentified. Other risk factors described in previous case reports are r enal failure, poor nutritional state and high doses of co-trimoxazole.