Drugs and Blood Sugar

If these pharmaceutical drugs occupy a place in your medicine cabinet, beware. They have been shown to raise blood sugar level and could be one of the reasons diabetes is on the rise in some vulnerable people:

• Diuretics such as Bumex (bumetanide), Edecrin (ethacrynic acid), Lasix (furosemide), and Demadex (torsemide).
  
  
• Antibiotics such as Macrodantin, Furadantin, and Macrobid (nitrofurantoin).
  
  
• Antidepressants such as Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Effexor (venlafaxine), and Zoloft (sertraline).
  
  
• Steroids such as Deltasone (prednisone), Maxidex (dexamethasone), and Celestone (betamethasone).
  
  
• ACE inhibitors such as Lotensin (benazepril), Capoten (captopril), Vasotec (enalapril), and Monopril (fosinopril).
  
  
• Cancer drugs such as Lupron (leuprolide), hydrazine sulfate, Nolvadex (tamoxifen), and Gemzar (gemcitabine).

If you absolutely have to take these drugs, you can still do certain things to eliminate your risk. Please keep reading this e-letter for more advice.