Diabetes Shoppe: Your Partners in Diabetes Care
Over the Counter Drugs
Many people believe that medications sold without a prescription, or over the counter,
(OTC) are worry-free and safe for all of us. Over the counter drugs can have unwanted side
effects for a person with diabetes. It is important to read the labeling on the OTC
packages and heed the warnings and cautions that are stated.
There are certain ingredients that must be monitored. These include sugar, alcohol,
epinephrine and salicylates.
Sugar and alcohol have calories and therefore can affect the diabetes diet and blood
glucose levels. When purchasing various medications, try to use tablets or capsules. If a
liquid form is used, choose a sugar-free brand.
Epinephrine-like drugs are the decongestants found in OTC cold preparations and in OTC
diet aids. Examples of these drugs are ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and
phenylephrine. These
drugs cause an increase in blood pressure and in blood sugar levels.
Salicylates are in the aspirin-like products. It is best to avoid large doses of aspirin
because it can lower your blood sugar levels. With this in mind, try treating a
fever or headache on a four-hour basis with acetaminophen (Tylenol) which is a better choice.
