Hypoglycemic coma induced by the use of succinic acid cibenzoline in frail late-stage elderly subjects

Abstract

Succinic acid cibenzoline (CZ) is an antiarrhythmic agent often used for the treatment of tachyarrhythmia. However, hypoglycemia should be avoided in the treatment of diabetes. We herein report two late-stage elderly subjects who experienced a severe and prolonged hypoglycemic coma after the usage of CZ. These cases suggest that, when CZ is administered to elderly subjects with renal dysfunction and/or frailty, we should be aware of the possibility that this medicine may induce hypoglycemia and should adjust the dose as appropriate and monitor the concentration of CZ to avoid severe hypoglycemia.