Hypoglycemia can occur from taking a number of drugs as a side effect. A common painkiller, antiviral, or blood pressure medication can unexpectedly affect blood sugar. Consider a number of common drugs with hypoglycemic side effects.
Medicines for the cardiovascular system
Cases of hypoglycemia have been observed with the use of beta-blockers.
Beta-blockers are used in the treatment of coronary heart disease, arrhythmias,
and some forms of hypertension. Beta-blockers are not recommended for people
with diabetes who are using insulin therapy.
If you are taking an antiarrhythmic antihypertensive drug containing
propranolol (for example, obzidan , anaprilin ), you need to be careful about
the risk of hypoglycemia. In the instructions for the drug Propranolol ,
insulin therapy is indicated as a contraindication. But in other medicines with
this substance, there is usually only a warning.
People with insulin-dependent diabetes should use beta-blockers with caution,
because they can increase the effect of hypoglycemic drugs.
Anti-inflammatory and pain medications
Some drugs of the salicylates class can lead to hypoglycemia. These include the popular aspirin and paracetamol. You need to be careful, because in diabetes, salicylates can enhance the hypoglycemic effect of hypoglycemic drugs, as well as naturally contribute to hypoglycemia due to the effect of drugs on metabolism.
These remedies are not contraindicated in diabetics, but in the instructions you may find a warning about the need to be careful when using. More frequent self-monitoring will help here.
Sulfadimetoksin – antimicrobial agent, which is included in the list of
vital and essential drugs. It is used for inflammation of the lungs,
respiratory diseases, bronchitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis media,
inflammatory diseases of the urinary and biliary tract and wound infections.
However, sulfadimethoxine cannot be combined with hypoglycemic agents. If you
are glycemic control with glucose- lowering pills and your GP prescribes
sulfadimethoxine for you , clarify the point of adverse interaction and ask
about the possibility of adapting therapy.
List of drugs that can contribute to the development of a hypoglycemic state:
- salicylates (aspirin);
- antidepressants (amitriptyline);
- sulfonamides (norsulfazol, etazol , biseptol, etc.);
- antihistamines (diphenhydramine, suprastin, cetirizine , hifenadine , etc.);
- lithium preparations (for example, lithium carbonate);
- beta-blockers (for example, anaprilin , atenolol);
- nonspecific anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin);
- antibiotics ( levomecithin , tetracycline, metacycline );
- indirect anticoagulants (for example, dicoumarin ).
The reaction can be very individual and with the use of these drugs there will not necessarily be a tendency to low sugar, but there is a risk. If you are not familiar with the medicine and are taking it for the first time, increase your self-monitoring and monitor your reaction. Always check with your doctor about the interaction of the prescribed drug with hypoglycemic drugs, as well as the effect on the background of insulin therapy. Additionally, read the instructions for use yourself, incl. contraindications and recommendations for use.