What Medications Can Raise Blood Sugar Levels?

Increased blood sugar levels can be dangerous, especially for individuals who have diabetes. Managing your medication regime while being mindful of your glucose levels is extremely important, which is why you should know what medications can raise blood sugar levels.

Blood sugar, also known as glucose, is the sugar found in the blood. Glucose gets into your blood by eating carbohydrates. The endocrine system and the pancreas keep blood sugar levels from getting too high or too low. Two specific hormones maintain balance, insulin, and glucagon.

Insulin sends excess sugar to the liver to be stored and used as energy in between meals. It is stored as glycogen. The hormone glucagon sends a signal to your liver to change the stored glycogen back into glucose so it can be released back into the bloodstream, providing energy for cells.

Normal blood sugar levels should stay near 100, but they will be lower for some, especially before eating anything.

At any given time, your blood sugar levels can become out of balance.

Things That Cause Blood Sugar to Rise

Many things can trigger a spike in your blood sugar. Foods high in carbohydrates, processed, and with added sugars are known culprits. Foods high in saturated fats can worsen insulin resistance.

Surprising factors contributing to a rise in blood sugar include skipping breakfast, a sedentary lifestyle, hormonal changes, and poor dental health. Stress and inflammation in the body also contribute to a spike in blood sugar by releasing the hormone cortisol, making your body sensitive to insulin.

Some reports claim sunburns and artificial sweeteners will increase blood sugar levels.

Finally, there are medications you may not be aware of that can affect blood sugar balance.

Which Medications Can Raise Blood Sugar Levels?

Both over-the-counter and prescription medicines can raise blood sugar levels and cause them to increase. Before taking any medication, it’s essential to talk to your pharmacist about side effects such as rising blood glucose.

If you currently struggle with pre-diabetes or diabetes and find it challenging to keep your blood sugar levels consistently lowered, other medicines you are taking may be the cause.

Below are some of the most common medications that can raise blood sugar levels.

1. Over-the-Counter Medicines

When you have a cold or the flu, it’s natural to take decongestants and cough syrups. However, these products contain sugar, which means these medications can raise blood sugar levels. Search for sugar-free varieties instead.

Some vitamins, like niacin, have been shown to increase glucose in the bloodstream. The same can happen with some prescriptions, like steroids.

2. Anti-inflammatory Medications

If you have arthritis, joint or muscle pain, asthma, or allergies, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication or steroids. If you take steroids orally or by injection, they will enter your bloodstream and change glucose levels.

Steroids can prevent insulin from doing its job, causing insulin resistance and signaling the liver to release stored sugar back into the bloodstream. If this happens over a long period, the chances of getting Type 2 Diabetes are higher.

3. Mental Health Medications

Both antidepressants and anti-psychotic medications can interfere with how the body metabolizes insulin. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can worsen glycemic control, while tricyclic antidepressants can cause hyperglycemia, another term for high blood sugar.

4. Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Medications

Statins and beta-blockers lower cholesterol and blood pressure. These medications are critical in preventing a stroke or adverse heart-related event. However, these medications can increase blood sugar levels.

Statins are used to lower LDL or bad cholesterol. Studies have shown statins are connected to higher blood sugar, and people are at risk of developing diabetes. Researchers found that statins prevent insulin from doing its job.

Doctors still recommend statins to millions of people each year, claiming their benefits from preventing a heart problem outweigh the chance of getting diabetes.

Blood pressure medicines with diuretic properties were the type tied to an increase in blood sugar levels. We know that dehydration can lead to raised blood glucose levels, so you could be negatively affected unless you are keeping up with your intake of fluids.

5. Antibiotic Medications

Certain antibiotic drugs have been studied and found to cause glucose levels to fluctuate. Examples include:

• Ciprofloxacin
• Moxifloxacin
• Levofloxacin

All are in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. Some disagree that it is the antibiotics that increase blood sugar levels, but rather the illness itself.

Because blood sugar levels are individualized, results can vary greatly. The most important thing to know about blood sugar levels is how to recognize signs that yours have spiked.

Symptoms of High Blood Sugar Levels

You do not have to have all the following symptoms to have an increase in glucose levels. Even one symptom can be a sign to check your levels.

If you notice your desire to drink liquids has increased or find yourself frequently urinating, check your blood sugar levels. Other signs include:

• Dry mouth
• Fruity-smelling breath
• Nausea
• Stomach pain

For some, unexpected weight changes, constant fatigue, blurred vision, and frequent headaches can signal a glucose problem. If you have sores that don’t heal properly, tingling or numbness in your hands or feet, and skin changes such as rashes or dry patches, check your blood sugar levels for inconsistencies.

Talk To Your Pharmacist

It is a good idea to document all your symptoms and, as soon as possible, take this information with you to the pharmacy. Your pharmacist is an expert in medications, and they know which medications can raise blood sugar levels.

Ask for advice. Simple tips and tricks like changing the time of day you take your medication, taking it with or without food, and avoiding drug interactions can be given to help insulin do its job.

Your pharmacist can teach you how to check your blood sugar levels throughout the day using the most modern and effective technology.

Because continually increased blood sugar levels can be dangerous, it’s important to know when to call the doctor or go to the emergency room. Your pharmacist can also provide information on how to quickly reduce blood sugar spikes, like taking a brisk walk, drinking water, and getting adequate sleep.

Instead of waiting for symptoms to appear, talk to your pharmacist today and be proactive in maintaining good health.

And if you need more information about how a compounding pharmacy can help, contact Burt’s Rx today! We offer services such as pediatric compounding, pet compounding, compounded medication for pain management, BHRT, and dental compounding.