Improvement of type 2 diabetes mellitus control with hydroxychloroquine added to triple oral antidiabetis drugs: A case report

Abstract

Hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug has also been found to possess antidiabetic action. It inactivates insulin degradation enzymes and also delays the dissociation of insulin from the insulin receptor thus also lowering the insulin resistance and increasing insulin sensitivity. Here we report a case of a male patient with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who obtained a better glycemic control when hydroxychloroquine was added to the existing pharmacotherapy. The patient has been taking metformin, glimepiride and acarbose for the last 2 years but his diabetes was poorly controlled with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) of 9.6%. Patient was proposed to intensify the treatment with insulin however he refused it. He was subsequently prescribed hydroxychloroquine 400 mg. Patient responded well to the therapy of hydroxychloroquine and subsequent follow-ups showed good glycaemic control.