hypoglycemia due to the consumption of an unidentified compound for weight gain: a case report

This case report highlights the adulteration of over-the-counter weight gain supplements with undeclared glyburide, culminating in a life-threatening episode of hypoglycemia in a healthy young adult. a previously healthy 23-year-old man was admitted to the emergency department on april 10, 2022, following a brief episode of unconsciousness. upon arrival, his blood glucose was found to be 30 mg/dl. he reported having taken one herbal weight-gain tablet daily for the preceding three days. his blood glucose level quickly returned to normal after an intravenous dextrose infusion. liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (lc-ms) analysis of the tablets detected the presence of glyburide. the patient did not experience any further hypoglycemic episodes while being monitored and was discharged in stable condition after a four-day hospitalization. this case highlights the significant risk posed by undeclared sulfonylurea adulteration in unregulated herbal supplements, as well as the importance of implementing routine post-market quality control and toxicological screening to protect public health and prevent serious adverse events.