Hypoglycaemia related to ingestion of a herbal remedy.
We present the case of a 78-year-old diabetic man who was brought to the emergency department because of an episode of hypoglycaemia after taking a herbal remedy for benign prostatic hypertrophy. Patients with multiple comorbidities may well take nonprescribed medication, including herbal remedies, with deleterious effects. If physicians do not specifically ask patients about alternative and complementary medicines, they may be missed.
Edgcumbe
Daniel P
DP
Department of Emergency Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. drdan@cantab.net
McAuley
Duncan
D
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy; D026982:Urtica dioica / Q000009:adverse effects