[2] Affected patients are usually adults, experiencing multiple episodes of spontaneous hypoglycemia with neuroglycopenic symptoms.
However, interaction of disulfide bond in the insulin molecule with sulfhydryl group drugs such as methimazole, carbimazole, captopril, isoniazid, hydralazine, imipenem, and also with lipoic acid has been suggested.
[4][5][6] Drug-induced autoimmunization is evidenced by insulin autoantibodies appearing a few weeks after the intake of drug containing the sulfhydryl group.
Additionally, IAS has a significant genetic predisposition as its association with specific HLA class has been observed [citation needed].
[citation needed] The best known treatment is recommending frequent, small meals and to avoid simple sugars.