Hi

Does anyone know whether the following drugs have any effect on blood sugar level. A friend has COPD as well as diabetes and his blood count varies considerably regardless of his diet. He also injects insulin.

1. Prednisolone 5mg

2. Ciprofloxdcin 500mg

3. Bambec

Thanks for any replies

banK

It's the effect of the prenisolone, which increases blood sugar. Some people even become diabetic for the first time when taking this drug. its use is best avoided if possible in diabetics but if it is essential, then close monitoring of blood sugar is essential as even in people whose diabetes was previosuly well controlled, the blood sugar will rise and be more unstable.

Your friend needs to know also that, if the prednislone is decreased or stopped, his blood sugar may suddenly drop.

Diabetics need to be very careful & test BS frequently when taking corticosteroids (of which prednisolone is one).

Chances are that his COPD is being managed by one specialist and his diabetes by a different doctor. If so it might be wise for him to (1) ask his pulmonary doc how long he is likely to require the prednisolone and (2) consult the doctor managing his diabetes, letting him/her know he is one that drug.

Also be sure that the pulmonary doc is aware if the diabetes, and always remind of same if they prescribe this drug. It is sometimes unavoidable to give a course of corticosteroids, but it is also the case in my experience that Thai doctors are sometimes overly quick to prescribe this and to not think about other conditions the patient may have and effect on same.

Thank you for the informative reply, Sheryl, I will pass it on.

banK