1 hr ago
Children Given Glimepiride Instead of Paracetamol in Gujarat
Five children in Gujarat were supposed to receive paracetamol after their vaccinations.
Instead, they were reportedly given glimepiride, a medicine used to lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.
This medicine can make a child’s blood sugar fall dangerously low.
Signs can include sweating, shaking, sleepiness, vomiting, confusion, seizures, or fainting.
The effects can last a long time or return after treatment.
The children were taken to a hospital for care and monitoring.
Four were discharged, and one was still being treated but was stable.
Officials suspended or began action against staff while investigating the mistake.
Doctors said medicine labels, storage, prescriptions, and final checks should be carefully reviewed to prevent similar errors.
Five children in Palsana Taluka, Surat, allegedly received glimepiride instead of paracetamol after vaccination.
The children developed adverse reactions and were admitted to a paediatric hospital, with reports saying some required ICU care.
Four children were discharged, while one remained under treatment and was described as stable.
Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said the nurse was suspended and two doctors received show-cause notices; another report said the nurse and doctors were suspended pending an inquiry.
Doctors warned that glimepiride can cause prolonged or recurring hypoglycaemia in children without diabetes, requiring urgent evaluation and repeated glucose monitoring.
- Who
- Five children, a nurse, two doctors, Gujarat Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, and treating medical experts.
- What
- Children were allegedly given the diabetes medicine glimepiride instead of paracetamol after vaccination, leading to adverse reactions and hospitalisation.
- Where
- A village in Palsana Taluka, Surat, Gujarat.
- When
- The incident was reported on September 27, 2026.
- Why
- Paracetamol was routinely given after vaccination to help prevent fever, but a reported dispensing error led to glimepiride being administered instead.
Key facts
- Children affected
- Five
- Medicine intended
- Paracetamol
- Medicine given
- Glimepiride, a diabetes medicine
- Outcome reported
- Four children discharged; one remained under treatment and stable
- Reported complications
- Severe reactions, including possible dangerously low blood sugar; reports also mentioned ICU admission
- Official action
- The nurse was suspended; two doctors received show-cause notices, although another report described the doctors as suspended pending inquiry
- Medical advice
- Suspected glimepiride exposure requires immediate medical evaluation and repeated blood-glucose monitoring
Quotes
Dr Rajiv Kovil
Diabetes and obesity specialist at Zandra Healthcare
“Any child who accidentally receives a glucose-lowering medicine should be treated as an emergency and evaluated immediately, rather than waiting for symptoms to develop.”
indianexpress.com
“Unlike paracetamol, which is used to reduce fever and pain, glimepiride stimulates the pancreas to release insulin.”
indianexpress.com
Praful Pansheriya
Gujarat state Health Minister discussing the medication mix-up
“The children immediately began to suffer adverse effects.”
indianexpress.com










