sitagliptin-phosphate and Drug-Overdose

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are a newer class of oral hypoglycemic agents for the management of diabetes that elevate the plasma concentration of active glucagon-like peptide-1 via inhibition of DPP-4. They effectively lower not only glycosylated hemoglobin levels, but also fasting and postprandial plasma glucose levels. Patients with diabetes occasionally consume an overdose of oral hypoglycemic agents in suicide attempts: the prevalence of depression is high in patients with diabetes, and depression is a strong risk factor for suicide. We encountered an 86-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes and depression, who was transferred to the emergency room 4h after ingestion of 1,700 mg of the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin (1,700 mg is 17 times greater than the approved maximum dose). Upon arrival, she was fully conscious, plasma glucose was 124 mg/dL, and serum immunoreactive insulin level was 5.81 µU/mL. Thereafter, the plasma concentration of sitagliptin rose to 3,793 nM, which is 4.5 times higher than the value found under regular treatment with the maximum dose. The patient did not suffer from hypoglycemia, suggesting that a single oral overdose of sitagliptin is unlikely to cause hypoglycemia. A literature review of oral anti-diabetic agents revealed that overdose of biguanides is occasionally fatal when immediate intensive care is not provided. In summary, sitagliptin is a good treatment option for diabetic elderly patients or patients with psychiatric disorders who are suicidal and do not require insulin.

Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Biguanides; Blood Glucose; Depressive Disorder; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors; Drug Overdose; Female; Glucose; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Pyrazines; Sitagliptin Phosphate; Suicide, Attempted; Sulfonylurea Compounds; Triazoles

Metformin and Sitagliptin are often used in combination in the management of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Though toxicity is rare, but occurs more frequently in cases of intentional or unintentional overdose of these drugs. Here, we present a case of an intentional overdose of a metformin- sitagliptin combination (70g metformin and 3500mg sitagliptin) in a suicide attempt by a young non-diabetic female who presented with severe lactic acidosis and was successfully treated with prompt hemodialysis and bicarbonate therapy.

Topics: Acidosis, Lactic; Adult; Drug Overdose; Female; Humans; Metformin; Sitagliptin Phosphate; Suicide, Attempted