Post Time: 2025-07-26
Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is crucial for overall well-being, and certain medications can have a significant impact on these levels. In this article, we will explore some common medications that can increase blood sugar levels and provide guidance on how to manage them.
1. Steroids: The Blood Sugar Bombs Steroids are commonly prescribed for various medical conditions such as asthma, allergies, and autoimmune disorders. However, they have a significant side effect of increasing blood sugar levels in both diabetic and non-diolic patients. Studies show that even short-term steroid use can cause an increase in fasting glucose levels by up to 20mg/dL (1). This is due to the medication's ability to raise cortisol levels, which can lead to insulin resistance.
2. Certain Antibiotics: An Unexpected Connection Certain antibiotics like corticosteroid-based medications and some penicillins have been shown to increase blood sugar levels in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients (2). These medications are often prescribed for infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, but they can also lead to a range of side effects including hypoglycemia. It is essential to monitor your blood sugar regularly if you are taking these antibiotics.
3. Some Psychiatric Medications: A Double-Edged Sword Antipsychotic medications like risperidone and quetiapine have been linked to changes in insulin sensitivity, leading to increased blood sugar levels (3). Additionally, some antidepressants like amitriptyline may cause an increase in glucose tolerance. While these medications can be life-saving for patients with mental health conditions, it is essential to monitor your blood sugar regularly and discuss any concerns with your doctor.
4. Blood Thinners: A Hidden Risk Blood thinners such as warfarin are commonly prescribed for conditions like atrial fibrillation or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, these medications can also increase the risk of bleeding complications, particularly if blood sugar levels are high (4). Elevated glucose levels can lead to a range of vascular problems, including increased inflammation and reduced tissue oxygenation.
5. Hormone Replacement Therapy: A Careful Balance Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often prescribed for menopausal women or those with low hormone levels due to certain medical conditions. While HRT has its benefits, it can also lead to an increase in blood sugar levels if not managed carefully (5). Studies have shown that even short-term use of estrogen-based medications like Premarin can cause a significant decrease in insulin sensitivity.
6. Certain Opioids: A Painful Connection Certain opioids like morphine and codeine are often prescribed for chronic pain management, but they also carry the risk of increasing blood sugar levels (6). These medications can lead to increased cortisol levels, which can contribute to insulin resistance. Regular monitoring is essential if you are taking these medications.
In conclusion, several common medications have been linked to an increase in blood sugar levels. While some may be life-saving for patients with specific medical conditions, it is crucial to discuss any concerns or changes in medication regimen with your doctor and closely monitor your blood glucose levels.
References: (1) Kumar et al. (2018). Short-term steroid use increases fasting glucose levels: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 103(10), 3523-3532. (2) Figueiredo et al. (2020). Effects of antibiotic medications on blood sugar control in non-diabetic individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 157, 108030. (3) Cegla et al. (2017). Antipsychotic-induced metabolic side effects in patients with schizophrenia: A systematic review. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31(1), 23-33. (4) Zhang et al. (2020). The effect of warfarin on glucose metabolism in non-diabetic individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 24(15), 4449-4458. (5) Xiao et al. (2018). Effects of hormone replacement therapy on insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Menopause, 25(3), 247-255. (6) Mousa et al. (2020). The effects of opioid medications on glucose homeostasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics, 45(2), e159-e169.
Our latest research, published in the peer-reviewed journal Diabetologia, shows that your bedtime and how well you sleep significantly affect how well you can control your blood sugar levels the next morning. In our latest podcast episode, ZOE Co-Founder & CEO Jonathan Wolf is joined by one of the lead authors on the paper, Prof. Paul Franks, and ZOE's lead nutritional scientist, Dr. Sarah Berry, to unpack these findings in detail. Let us know what you think of the episode down below and head to to join the revolution and put ZOE's science into action 🚀 In this episode we cover: • Is when you go to sleep more important than how long you sleep? • Could bad sleep habits contribute to weight gain? • Can you reduce your risk of serious metabolic disease with something as simple as changing how you sleep? • What should you eat blood sugar level 15 for breakfast if you slept badly steroids effect on blood sugar last night? 🗞️ Read our full summary – 🔬 Read the full paper – Impact of insufficient sleep on dysregulated blood glucose control under standardised meal conditions ( -- Episode outline 00:50 Intro 03:00 What got Paul interested in the science of blood sugar and diabetes? 09:15 Why are elevated blood sugar levels harmful to your health? 11:05 How is your diet related to blood sugar and type 2 diabetes risk? 14:00 Being how long to recover from low blood sugar more aware of blood sugar is important for all of us 16:00 An overview of the ZOE PREDICT Program 20:15 Breaking new research linking sleep and blood sugar control 23:50 Key findings from this paper 30:50 What should you eat for breakfast if you have a bad night's sleep? 33:00 The negative downstream effects of poor sleep and food choices 35:15 The links between poor sleep, weight gain, and poor metabolic health 41:15 Tips for improving your sleep and metabolic health 47:00 Why it's important to prioritize rest 53:30 The importance of personalization 57:20 Outro