Skip to main content
Submitted by Dr S. Patel on 6 December 2017

Most people with chronic conditions take more than 1 drug. According to one study those over the age of 60 take 5 drugs on an average. These can cause unexpected reactions and drug-to-drug interactions. Here is what you need to know:

What is drug-to-drug interaction?

When a drug taken along with another drug causes an unwanted or counter-productive interaction, such that it affects the activity and efficacy of the other drug, it is term as a drug-to drug interaction.

For diabetic patients, this is an important concept to keep in mind when taking other drug along with their regular diabetic medications. Let’s look at common diabetes drugs and which drugs can or may affect them if administered together.

What medications to avoid with Metformin and other non-insulin diabetic medications?

Certain drugs can lead to high blood sugar when taken with metformin. These include but are not limited to:

  • Heart medications such as Diuretics, hypertensive drugs, digoxin etc.
  • Thyroid medications.
  • Anti-seizure drug like phenytoin.
  • Oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.
  • Medications for asthma, allergies or cold.
  • Steroids
  • Diet pills/ Vitamin B3/ niacin and combination drugs like Simcor, Niaspan etc.
  • Antipsychotics like phenthiazines.

What medications to avoid with Insulin?

Over 700 drugs are known to interact with insulin in some way or the other. Drug interactions are likely to increase or decrease the effects of Insulin. So often, insulin dosages may have to be altered when on other medications (used for short or long term). Let’s look at some medications that are required for chronic conditions that do interact with Insulin:

  • Thyroid medicines
  • Anti-depressants (SSRIs)
  • Anti-psychotics
  • Heart medicine like ACE inhibitors, disopyramide etc.
  • Antibiotics like sulfonamides, quinine, levofloxacin etc.
  • Steroids

Not all medications have been listed in this guide so make sure you check with your doctor before starting on any other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, herbal products, supplements etc. Obviously if a person has multiple conditions, he/she may be prescribed these combinations. Best to discuss all your medicines with your doctor and avoid any adverse drug interactions.

Related Reading: Medicines that Increase or Decrease Blood Glucose Levels

Remember:

Consult your doctor before any changes in medications.
Beware of such interactions and monitor sugar levels regularly. 
Please contact your doctor for any adverse reaction or unexpected symptoms.

References:

  1. https://www.drugs.com/metformin.html
  2. https://www.drugs.com/cons/insulin-parenteral.html
  3. http://www.healthcommunities.com/diabetes-management/insulin-drug-interactions.shtml
  4. https://www.rxlist.com/oral_diabetes_medications-page4/drugs-condition.htm#drug
  5. https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/managing-diabetes/treatment-approaches/dangerous-drug-combinations/
Community
Condition
Changed
Sat, 12/09/2017 - 10:51

Stories

  • 11 Tips On How To Reduce Weight
    Obesity or being overweight is the causative factor for several chronic non-communicable diseases including heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancers #tbl tr td:nth-child(0) { { width:44px!important; } #tbl tr td:nth-child(1) { { width:141px!important; } #tbl tr td:nth-child(2) { { width:77px!important; } #tbl tr td:nth-child(3) { { width:44px!important; } #tbl tr td:nth-child(4) { { width:141px!important; } #tbl tr td:nth-child(5) { { width:77px!important; } A dramatic increase in…
  • Overview of Digestive Disorders and Gastrointestinal Diseases
    Endoscopy guru and leading gastroenterologist Dr Vipulroy Rathod’s comprehensive interview on gastrointestinal diseases and cancers makes for an enlightening and interesting read. What is Gastroenterology? Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders. Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, which include the organs from mouth to anus, along the alimentary canal, are the focus of this specialty. Physicians practicing in this field are called…
  • I Breathe And Sleep Better After I Quit Smoking
    Ramesh Koppikar, a heavy smoker for 35 years, made several unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking. It finally took a heart attack for him to break the nicotine addiction and kick the habit for good. Read and share his experience. I started smoking cigarettes at the age of 23 when I was studying engineering at BHU, Varanasi. I was staying in the hostel on campus and my friends and I would go for a walk after dinner. The BHU campus is large and green, hence our walks would be…
  • Healthy ways to gain weight
    Believe it or not people who are thin and underweight are not always healthy and free of illness. They can struggle to put on weight. Our nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju shares tips on healthy meal plan to gain weight. This is also important as people age and lose weight. Being lean sounds great, but being underweight because of poor nutrition doesn't sound healthy at all. Being underweight, you are more likely to pick up infections, a lack of vitamins and minerals will hinder your growth if…
  • 6 Easy Ways to Prevent Diabetes [Infographic]
    Dr Anoop Misra, Chairman National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC0 says diabetes is 80% dependent on lifestyle.  Genes need to interact with the environment for expression. Even if a gene for diabetes is present in an individual, healthy lifestyle can alter gene expression in a favourable manner.    
  • Hypoglycaemia: The highs and the lows
    Jimmy Ong from Singapore relates his personal experiences of being a patient with Type 1 Diabetes and suffering frequent bouts of hypoglycaemia to learn diabetes management the hard way Early Diagnosis  I was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic in June 1979 at the age of 28 when I also happened to be overweight. At the time of diagnosis, I had very high glucose in my blood, a count of about 23.  Symptoms  I was urinating abnormally and drinking liquid excessively. I used to wake up a…
  • How diabetes affects your sex life
    Many people with diabetes encounter difficulties with sex but are hesitant to address them. Some of you have asked us anonymously. Diabetologist Dr Rajiv Kovil from Mumbai offers some information and advice. Sexual problems (sexual dysfunction) are common among people with diabetes. Both men and women with diabetes experience sexual difficulties as a result of complications from the disease. How common is the problem? Although no official statistics are available for the extent…
  • Aqua therapy - a fitness solution beyond joint pains
    Struggling with joint aches and pains and not able to exercise. Is Aqua Therapy an option for you? PatientsEngage speaks to Mumbai-based Deepali Jain, a certified aqua specialist and fitness expert and Sucheta Talwar who conquered fear of water and severe arthritis with aqua therapy.  What is Aqua Therapy? Aqua Therapy is a specialized form of water-based exercises and work outs for relaxation, fitness, health benefits and rehabilitation. It refers to the use of water for…
  • 4 Winter Diet Myths addressed
    Did you know an individual gains an average of 2-5 Kgs in winter? Winter is a season of indulgences pushing us often to have food loaded with calories. Dietician and diabetes educator, Ujjwala Baxi tells us how to enjoy the winter without gaining weight. Come winter, the season of mist and mellow fruitfulness, and we tend to gear up for both warm clothes as well as those mouthwatering season-specials that make every nippy evening worth its while. We throw our calorie-consciousness to the winds…
  • 3 Simple Steps to Manage Diabetes E-book
    A lot people find managing Diabetes on a day to day basis very difficult. But there is no need to worry. Here we have drawn from the experiences of those with diabetes and provided you tips to understand and manage your diabetes https://www.patientsengage.com/personal-voices/diabetes-has-kept-me-healthy https://www.patientsengage.com/personal-voices/focus-exercise-and-diet-control Click on the image below, login or register and download 3 Simple Steps To Diabetes Management Click on the image…