Gatifloxacin-associated hypoglycemia

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are widely employed in treating infectious diseases. Lately, reports of either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia have appeared in the medical literature. Many patients are elderly and have underlying diabetes and renal insufficiency. Of these antibiotics, dysglycemia occurs more frequently with gatifloxacin (Tequin). While hypoglycemia usually occurs within the first three days of treatment, hyperglycemia often occurs later in the treatment course. The hypoglycemia may be profound and difficult to manage. We report 4 patients with hypoglycemia while taking gatifloxacin and review the relevant literature.