Non-Diabetes Medicines That May Raise Blood Sugar

Non-Diabetes Medicines That May Raise Blood Sugar

Overview

Some medicines for conditions other than diabetes can raise your blood sugar level. This is a concern when you have diabetes. Make sure every doctor you see knows about all of the medicines natural health products you take. This means anything you take with or without a prescription.

Examples include:

  • Thiazide diuretics.
  • Corticosteroids.
  • Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) and progesterone.
  • Catecholamines.
  • Decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine.
  • The B vitamin niacin. The risk of high blood sugar from niacin lowers after you have taken it for a few months.
  • Some antipsychotic medicines.

Credits

Current as of: March 1, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
E. Gregory Thompson MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Theresa O'Young PharmD - Clinical Pharmacy
David C.W. Lau MD, PhD, FRCPC - Endocrinology