Non-prescription medications and people with diabetes
Many non-prescription medications can affect the blood sugar level of people with diabetes. Some should be used with caution and some should be avoided. When you have a minor illness (such as a cold or the flu) and need a non-prescription medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before buying one.
The following medications often use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar to improve taste or do not contain ingredients that increase blood sugar in other ways. Read the package label. These medications are safe for you to use:
- Sugar-free cough and cold medicines, including Contac Cough and Chest Cold Liquid, Hycomine, Koffex DM E SF, Robitussin AC and sugar-free cough drops, and Vicks 44M.
- Decongestant nasal sprays, Afrin and Neo-Synephrine. All other types increase blood sugar.
- Fever reducers/pain relievers, which should be ASA-free, especially if they are being given to a child or teenager. ASA can lower your blood sugar. Also, ASA should not be given to anyone under age 20 because it is associated with a serious illness called Reye's syndrome.
- Medicines used to treat diarrhea, including sugar-free Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate.
- Laxatives, including sugar-free Fleet Phospho-Soda and Phillips' Milk of Magnesia. Metamucil sugar-free is a bulking agent that comes in plain or lemon-lime flavours. Enemas and suppositories used for constipation will not affect blood sugar levels.
- Sugar-free vitamins, including Poly-Vi-Sol, Tri-Vi-Sol Drops, and Vi-Daylin drops.
- Anti-nausea/vomiting or motion sickness/dizziness drugs, including Gravol.
| Author: | Alison Allen Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: February 21, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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