Fasting Hypoglycemia Secondary to Disopyramide Therapy

Abstract

THE ANTIARRHYTHMIC drug, disopyramide phosphate, has been available for several years and recently has gained increasing acceptance as a second-line antiarrhythmic agent. During many years of use in Europe, the most common side effects have been related to anticholinergic properties. Recently, a case of disopyramide-induced fasting hypoglycemia was reported. 1 This association had not been previously noted in the literature, although a brief reference to hypoglycemia is mentioned in the 1980 Physicians' Desk Reference . 2 We report two recent cases of apparent disopyramide-associated fasting hypoglycemia. Report of Cases Case 1.— A 72-year-old woman was admitted to Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, in June 1980 with an acute myocardial infarction. She had previously had slightly elevated fasting glucose values. Fasting glucose levels were 113 and 154 mg/dL. Intravenous (IV) lidocaine hydrochloride therapy was begun, followed by oral disopyramide phosphate therapy, 150 mg every six hours, because of failure to control recurrent ventricular