Hyperglycemia induced by megestrol acetate in a patient with AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of hyperglycemia induced by megestrol acetate in a patient with AIDS.


METHODS
A 28-year-old man with AIDS developed hyperglycemia requiring insulin therapy 5 days after beginning megestrol therapy. The hyperglycemia resolved with discontinuation of the agent and treatment with insulin, and recurred 2 years later, when megestrol acetate treatment was rechallenged. In this case the patient had developed hyperglycemia and pancreatitis 1 year before, related to pentamidine therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge this is the first reported case of hyperglycemia that was induced by megestrol acetate as early as 5 days after beginning therapy and confirmed by rechallenge. The mechanism of action is unclear.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians caring for patients with AIDS-related cachexia should be aware that megestrol acetate can cause a severe but reversible hyperglycemic state.
Gonzalez Del Valle
L
L
Pharmacy Department, Hospital La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
Herrero Ambrosio
A
A
Martinez Hernandez
P
P
Garcia Diaz
B
B
Jimenez Caballero
E
E
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D002100:Cachexia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D019290:Megestrol Acetate / Q000009:adverse effects*
D019290:Megestrol Acetate