Key investigations

Key investigations for sulfonylurea poisoning are:

• serial blood glucose concentrations—aim for a blood glucose concentration between 4 and 8 mmol/L
  • in asymptomatic patients, perform every 2 hours until the blood glucose concentration remains between 4 and 8 mmol/L for 4 hours, then measure every 4 hours
  • in symptomatic or hypoglycaemic patients, perform every 30 to 60 minutes until the blood glucose concentration remains between 4 and 8 mmol/L for 4 hours, then measure every 4 hours.
• serum electrolyte concentrations, in particular potassium, magnesium and phosphate.