Types of drugs that can affect blood sugar levels

Contents:

• Medical Video: Treating Low Blood Sugar | Hypoglycemia | Nucleus Health
  
• Drugs that increase blood sugar
  
• Drugs that reduce blood sugar
  
• What must be known before starting diabetes treatment?
  

Medical Video: Treating Low Blood Sugar | Hypoglycemia | Nucleus Health

There are several types of drugs that can increase your blood sugar levels. This may be a big concern when you are diagnosed with diabetes. In addition, in some cases, there are several drugs that can worsen diabetes complications, such as kidney disease.

Drugs that increase blood sugar

Some drugs that can increase your blood sugar levels include:

• Corticosteroids (usually given to treat inflammation in the body as happens in arthritis, asthma or other lung problems)
• Some antipsychotic drugs and antidepressant drugs
• Adrenaline (used as an emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions, increases blood glucose levels
• Asthma medications (to prevent asthma attacks and relieve asthma and obstructive symptoms of chronic lung disease. Giving high doses injected can increase blood glucose levels.
• Some diuretic drugs (thiazide diuretics, used to treat high blood pressure and fluid enhancers)
• Cyclosporine (used to prevent rejection of kidney transplants, these drugs generally increase blood sugar levels)
• Nicotinic acid (for lower cholesterol and fat in your blood, sometimes this can increase blood sugar levels)
• Isotretinoin (to treat severe acne)
• Phenytoin (to prevent seizures if you have epilepsy, the side effects of this drug increase blood sugar levels)
• Some over-the-counter medicines are syrup and contain lots of sugar

Drugs that reduce blood sugar

Some drugs can reduce your blood sugar levels by increasing sensitivity to insulin or increasing the glucose-lowering effect of sulfonylureas. Examples of these drugs are:

• Certain antidepressants such as non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors
• Alcohol (excessive alcohol use makes producing and releasing glucose into your blood stop the liver).
• Certain antibiotics such as the combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole are used to treat various bacterial infections, rarely this combination can cause hypoglycemia
• Aspirin (to reduce pain or inflammation)
• Beta blockers (to reduce heart rate, high blood pressure, heart failure, angina, and migraines, beta blockers can mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia)
• Quinine (an antimalarial used to prevent and treat malaria infections)
• Fenugreek (a type of herbal supplement)

What must be known before starting diabetes treatment?

Before using diabetes medications, explain to your doctor about your health condition. Tell your doctor about the drugs you are taking or the drugs you will use, including natural, herbal and vitamin supplements.

When you use diabetes medications:

• Check your blood sugar levels more often
• If you notice a change in your blood sugar levels, tell your doctor
• If you experience diabetes complications such as kidney problems or blood supply problems at your feet, tell your doctor
• If you buy syrup medicine, ask your pharmacist that the syrup is "sugar free"