Medicines for Other Conditions That May Lower Blood Sugar Level as a Side Effect
Some medicines for other conditions can lower your blood sugar level or can interfere with whether you develop symptoms of low blood sugar. This is a concern when you have diabetes. Talk with your doctor before taking any new medicine.
Medicines that can lower your blood sugar level include:
Chemotherapy refers to the use of anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells. The doctor who determines which drugs are used and in what dosage is known as a medical oncologist. Chemotherapy is used to: Kill cancer cells left behind after surgery or radiation, when the cancer seems to be confined to the breast or lymph glands under the arm. Kill cancer cells that have spread to various parts of the body, but were not obvious at the time of initial treatment. Kill cancer cells if cancer...
Read the Diabetes and Chemotherapy article > >
- Medicines to reduce fever and relieve pain, such as salicylate medicines like aspirin.
- Medicines to treat some types of mental disorders, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
- Quinine sulfate.
- Pentamidine, such as NebuPent and Pentam 300.
Some medicines can interfere with whether you develop symptoms of low blood sugar, leading to your blood sugar level dropping very low before you are aware of it. These medicines include heart medicines (beta-blockers) such as propranolol (for example, Inderal), nadolol (for example, Corgard), and metoprolol (for example, Lopressor).
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
September 22, 2010
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
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Is This Normal?
Get the Facts Fast!Answer:
Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia). |
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
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