Several common over-the-counter and prescription medications can affect blood sugar.
Corticosteroids are also used along with otherimmunosuppressantsin people who have received an organ transplant.
This can include things like controller inhalers for asthma orbiologic agentsin rheumatoid arthritis.
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These can help reduce the future need for corticosteroids.
Your healthcare provider will weigh the risks and benefits for you when prescribing these medications.
For many, these medications are essential in reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.
Niacin also raises blood sugar, and is associated with increased risk of developing diabetes.
Some large studies in people taking statins have shown a possible smallincrease in blood sugar.
This is more common in people with abnormal blood sugar levels or risk factors for diabetes.
Statins may cause an earlier onset of diabetes in people who are already on their way to developing diabetes.
Some Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medications that kill or prevent the growth of bacteria.
There are many classes of antibiotics, and some of them have the potential of raising blood sugar.
These antibiotics can cause serious fluctuations in blood sugar (either increases or decreases).
Conflicting data exist about which types of hormonal contraception increase blood sugar.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are effective medications for those with certain psychiatric conditions, likebipolar disorderandschizophrenia.
However, they can have several undesirable side effects, including weight gain and increased blood sugar and cholesterol.
Summary
Many medications can increase blood sugar.
Your healthcare team will discuss the risks and benefits of increased blood sugar with specific medications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some antibiotics have been shown to raise blood sugar.
Fluoroquinolones, like moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin, can cause significant blood sugar fluctuations.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label warns about blood sugar fluctuations with fluoroquinolones.
There are several different types of medications used as muscle relaxers.
One such class of medications is benzodiazepines like Valium (diazepam) and Klonopin (clonazepam).
Studies have shown a mild increase in blood sugar with benzodiazepines.
Niacin is a supplement that is known to increase blood sugar levels.
This can raise or lower blood sugar levels.
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