Diabetes Insulin Medications (cont.)
Jim Morelli, MS, RPh
Jim Morelli holds a B.S. from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health in Boston and an M.S. in civil engineering from Tufts University. He is registered as a pharmacist in the state of Georgia.
Gary D. Vogin, MD
Dr. Vogin is a board-certified general internist, having completed his residency in internal medicine at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia in June 1994. Before deciding on internal medicine, Vogin prepared for a career in pathology and was Outstanding Transitional First Year Graduate at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J., in 1991.
In this Article
- What is the diabetes medication insulin and how does it work?
- For what conditions is the diabetes medication insulin used?
- Are there differences among types of insulin?
- How is the diabetes drug insulin administered?
- How should the diabetes medication insulin be stored?
- How often should blood glucose be checked when taking insulin?
- What are the side effects of the diabetes drug insulin?
- What are the drug interactions with the diabetes medication insulin?
- What are warnings and precautions the diabetes drug insulin?
- What are some examples of insulin?
- Prescription Oral Diabetes Medications
What are the drug interactions with the diabetes medication insulin?
Some drugs increase blood sugar levels and the need for insulin. They include:
- Corticosteroids
- Isoniazid
- Estrogens
- Oral Contraceptives
- Phenothiazines (e.g. prochloperazine (Compazine), chlorpromazine (Thorazine))
- Hypothyroid drugs (e.g. levothyroxine (Levo-T), (Levoxyl))
- Niacin (Niaspan)
- Thiazides
Other drugs may require a person to use less insulin. These include:
- Salicylates (aspirin)
- Sulfa antibiotics
- MAOIs
- ACE inhibitors
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers
- Beta-blockers
- Alcohol
- Octreotide
- Oral diabetes medications
Beta-blocker medications, often used for heart disease, may mask symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Diabetes
Find tips and advances in treatment.
Updated & New
