News in brief: Diabetes danger

News in brief: Diabetes danger

AIDS Treatment Update, Issue 55, July 1997
Keith Alcorn

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has written to American doctors to warn them about cases in which people taking protease inhibitors developed increased levels of blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) or even diabetes, or their existing diabetes was made worse.

83 cases have been reported, 27 of which were severe enough to require hospitalisation. Fifty percent of affected people discontinued their protease inhibitor therapy as a result. The onset of the condition came an average of 76 days after starting treatment with a protease inhibitor, but in some cases began after only four days. Some people required treatments such as insulin or hypoglycaemic drugs.

People taking protease inhibitors are warned to look out for the warning signs of hyperglycaemia, such as increased thirst and hunger, unexplained weight loss, increased urination, fatigue and dry, itchy skin.

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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1997. AEGIS.