Evaluation of the use and safety of octreotide as antidotal therapy for sulfonylurea overdose in children.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of octreotide on number of hypoglycemic episodes and blood glucose concentrations (BGCs) in a case series of young children who received octreotide for treatment of sulfonylurea-induced hypoglycemia and to identify the frequency of adverse effects associated with octreotide's use for this indication.

METHODS: A retrospective review of 9 years of National Poison Data System pediatric sulfonylurea overdoses treated with octreotide was conducted. Inclusion criteria were age younger than 6 years with acute sulfonylurea overdose managed in a health care facility. Redacted poison center charts were obtained, and data on pretreatment and posttreatment number of hypoglycemic episodes and BGCs as well as medical outcomes and adverse reactions were extracted and analyzed.

RESULTS: There were 121 octreotide cases. Patients experienced a median of 2.0 and 0.0 hypoglycemic episodes before and after treatment, respectively (P < 0.0001). The median lowest BGC was significantly higher after octreotide administration (P < 0.001). In 73% of children, only 1 dose of octreotide was given. Hyperglycemia was noted in 3 children who also received dextrose in whom adverse effects to therapy were coded.

CONCLUSIONS: Octreotide administration decreases number of hypoglycemic events and increases BGCs. The majority of children who receive octreotide require only 1 dose. There were no adverse effects documented in these children who received octreotide as an antidote for sulfonylurea-induced hypoglycemia.