But there are likely to be many occasions throughout your life when taking other medications and supplements for non-diabetes related reasons are required.But before you fill your prescription or purchase a new supplement, it is important to know that many drugs can raise blood sugar levels and may not be the best choice for all type 1s.Here are fifteen of the most common medications and supplements that are known to raise blood sugars.Always talk to your doctor about how any new medications might affect your blood sugars and make sure to check the labels on over the counter meds. But this supplement may not be the best choice for all diabetics as it appears to increase the breakdown of insulin in the liver which can lead to increased insulin need and elevated blood sugars.DHEA is taken to treat or support a number of conditions from erectile dysfunction to lupus. Not only can high doses of this stimulant increase insulin resistance, but it can also negatively affect post-meal glucose metabolism. Topical steroid creams, however, do not typically cause this issue.Epinephrine and dopamine are part of a group of hormones called catecholamines that are produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. Progesterone. Like many other drugs, it increases insulin resistance which can lead to increased blood glucose levels.Pseudoephedrine is a common ingredient in cold medicines and decongestants. Hypoglycemia is a condition caused by a very low level of blood sugar (glucose), your body's main energy source.Hypoglycemia is often related to the treatment of diabetes. While beta-blockers are more likely to be an issue for type 2 diabetics due to their tendency to decrease insulin secretion, thiazide diuretics can cause issues for all diabetics. Taking metoclopramide with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from metoclopramide. These medications can make the liver resistant to insulin, resulting in elevated blood sugars during treatment. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors.

If one of them may affect your blood sugar, she may prescribe a lower dose or tell you to take the medicine for a shorter time. She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband, daughter and their pack of various pets.Insulin Nation® delivers comprehensive information about the technology and science of diabetes therapy, and curates the best, most relevant news for the 6.5 million people in the US who take insulin – the “Citizens” of Insulin Nation.Topics covered include diabetes-specific technology and medicine, the science behind a potential cure, wearable and wireless health tech, the rich data produced by meters, pumps, and CGMs, and the people and organizations that impact the everyday lives of our readers.© Copyright SelfRx Media. It can reduce the uptake of glucose into cells as well as stimulating glycogen release in the liver. Calcipotriene + betamethasone (Enstillar®) Candesartan + hydrochlorothiazide (Atacand HCT®) Captopril + hydrochlorothiazide (Capozide®) ... marketplace, this list may not reflect the full range of drugs that may impact blood glucose levels. Sara Seitz is a freelance writer specializing in blog, article, and content writing. But, for type 1 patients taking statins, you may still notice a slight increase in blood sugar levels because this drug also tends to increase insulin resistance throughout the body. You may need to American Diabetes Association: “Factors Affecting Blood Glucose.”CDC: Basics About Diabetes, “What is diabetes?”Diatribe: “How many factors actually affect blood glucose?”Diabetes Forecast: “Medications That Raise Blood Glucose,” “Over-the-Counter Meds that Raise Blood Sugar.”NPS Medicinewise: “Medicines that affect blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.”National Institutes of Health AIDS info: “HIV and Diabetes.”UIC Center on Psychiatric Disability and Co-Occurring Medical Conditions:  “Psychiatric Meds & Diabetes.”Mayo Clinic: “Niacin (vitamin B3, nicotinic acid).”National Institute of Mental Health: “Mental Health Medications.”See how one patient learned to manage her weight and diet.WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Not only can these drugs cause elevated blood sugars, but they also tend to cause drastic fluctuations that can lead to hypoglycemia as well.Prescription and over-the-counter medications aren’t the only things that can raise blood sugars. The most important thing is to work with your doctor on the right way to use them.Make sure your doctor knows all the medicines you take -- for diabetes or any other reason. Catecholamines, which include the EpiPen and asthma inhalers. Here are five of the most common.Niacin, or vitamin B3, is often taken to help reduce bad cholesterol but can be used to support a number of health conditions.