HIPOGLUCEMIA Y GABAPENTIN

Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2014 Nov 11. doi: 10.1111/bcp.12548. [Epub ahead of print] Six cases of (severe) hypoglycaemia associated with gabapentin use in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Scholl JH , van Eekeren R, van Puijenbroek EP.

Abstract The Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb received six cases of hypoglycaemia associated with the use of gabapentin. It concerns three males and three females (age 36 - 71 years) who used gabapentin for neuropathic pain. A medical history of diabetes mellitus was reported in four of them. There was a suggestive time relationship with the use of gabapentin, with a time to onset of several days to weeks, and a positive dechallenge in the majority of the cases. Pharmacologically, gabapentin-induced hypoglycaemia could be related to its gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor affinity. Both the GABA and GABA receptor have a role in the secretion of insulin. Alternatively, direct binding of gabapentin to the specific subunits of the voltage-gated calcium channels could also affect insulin release. We recommend that patients, especially diabetics, starting gabapentin treatment should be monitored and informed about the risk of hypoglycaemia.

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