INS and Hypoglycemia: On the other hand, patients with hypoglycemia are told to take small frequent meals with a reduced amount of carbohydrates to avoid sudden increases in plasma glucose leading to the over secretion of insulin.[16] In some severe cases, acarbose, diazoxide, and octreotide, which play a role in decreasing or delaying absorption of carbohydrates in the intestine, may help relieve symptoms.[17] If hypoglycemia persists, steroids as immunosuppressive therapy, azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine combined with plasmapheresis can also serve as an alternative therapy.