Document Detail


Drug-induced hypoglycemia presenting as acute mountain sickness, after mistaking acetohexamide for acetazolamide.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11990118     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Acute mountain sickness (AMS) can present with a wide variety of symptoms in unacclimatized persons who rapidly ascend to altitudes > 2500 m. The clinical manifestations of drug-induced hypoglycemia, including adrenergic and neurologic symptoms, have significant overlap with the AMS symptom complex. These similarities can lead to confusion in the diagnosis of hypoglycemia versus AMS, particularly for diabetics ascending to altitude. A case is described in which the oral hypoglycemic agent acetohexamide, instead of acetazolamide, was mistakenly self-administered for the prophylaxis and treatment of altitude illness. Improper self-medication by travelers in remote areas may be more common than is currently recognized.
Authors:
J A Litch
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Case Reports; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Wilderness & environmental medicine     Volume:  7     ISSN:  1080-6032     ISO Abbreviation:  Wilderness Environ Med     Publication Date:  1996 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2002-05-06     Completed Date:  2002-06-04     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9505185     Medline TA:  Wilderness Environ Med     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  232-5     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Himalayan Rescue Association, Kathmandu, Nepal.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Acetazolamide
Acetohexamide / adverse effects*
Adult
Altitude Sickness / diagnosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Diuretics
Female
Humans
Hypoglycemia / chemically induced*,  diagnosis*
Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects*
Mountaineering
Self Medication
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Diuretics; 0/Hypoglycemic Agents; 59-66-5/Acetazolamide; 968-81-0/Acetohexamide

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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