Corticosteroid Shots in Diabetics

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Corticosteroid Shots in Diabetics

Question:

How long will sugar levels stay high after a cortisone shot for a person with diabetes?

Answer:

A corticosteroid or "cortisone" shot can cause a side effect of high blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. In most cases, this effect lasts several days. If you use insulin, you may need a larger dose during this time. It is appropriate to check your blood sugar using a glucometer and test strips more often after you receive a medication that could alter your sugar.

Several other medications can affect blood sugar. The drugs that are more likely to raise blood sugar levels include:

• Prednisone or other corticosteroid pills

• Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

• Quetiapine (Seroquel)

• Clozapine (Clozaril)

• Risperidone (Risperdal)

• Aripiprazole (Abilify)

• Ziprasidone (Geodon)

Certain antibiotics can sometimes cause abrupt changes in blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. The ones you need to be especially aware of are:

• Gatifloxacin

• Ciprofloxacin

• Levofloxacin

• Moxifloxacin

They can send the sugar high or low.

You should monitor your blood sugar more closely when you are taking any of the medications listed above.

Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.

Last updated:	July 20, 2009