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Medicines That Can Raise Blood Sugar as a Side Effect

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Medicines that can raise blood sugar in a person who has diabetes include:

  • Barbiturates.
  • Thiazide diuretics.
  • Corticosteroids.
  • Birth control pills (oral contraceptives) and progesterone.
  • Catecholamines.
  • Decongestants that contain beta-adrenergic agents, such as pseudoephedrine.
  • The B vitamin niacin. The risk of high blood sugar from niacin lowers after you have taken it for a few months.
  • The antipsychotic medicine olanzapine (Zyprexa).

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By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Jennifer Hone, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Last Revised July 1, 2011

Last Revised: July 1, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Jennifer Hone, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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