Type 2 diabetes isn’t usually a party of one. People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing other health conditions, such as high blood pressure, gout, and high cholesterol, which often require additional medication.
“These meds — such as beta-blockers, corticosteroids, and statins — can be lifesaving, but they can also come with side effects, such as raising blood sugar,” says Raj Singh MD, a board-certified primary care doctor in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“It really depends on the half-life of that medication, meaning how long it stays in your system once it is stopped,” says Deena Adimoolam, MD, a specialist in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism in New York City. “Some medications have a long duration of action, so their impact on blood sugar will be longer.”
But that doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t take a medication that can raise your blood sugar. “When used correctly and in close consultation with a physician, the side effects of these medications can be significantly reduced,” Dr. Singh says.
Here, we’ll look at some of the most common meds affecting blood sugar control and give guidance on the best ways to manage your blood sugar.
