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Sulfonylurea hypoglycaemia — GPhC CRA MCQ

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ModerateEndocrine TherapeuticsSulfonylurea hypoglycaemiaGPhC CRA

A 72-year-old man with type 2 diabetes takes gliclazide 80mg twice daily. He is shaky and sweating at the pharmacy; capillary glucose is 3.2mmol/L. He is conscious and able to swallow. What is the most appropriate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Give fast-acting carbohydrate, recheck glucose and advise follow-up after recovery.

He has symptomatic hypoglycaemia and is able to swallow, so fast-acting carbohydrate is appropriate with reassessment. He should not drive while hypoglycaemic. Sulfonylureas can cause recurrent hypoglycaemia, so follow-up and review of the cause are important.

Reference: BNF; NICE CKS