drugs that can mask hypoglycemia, what does it MEAN!?

[payam7777777]

i was lookin for a list of drugs that can affect bgs and found this (http://www.dlife.com/dLife/do/ShowContent/type2_information/treatment/drugs_that_can_affect_blood_glucose_levels.html). in the text they've listed drugs that can mask hypoglycemia. this scared the heck out of me. what does mask here mean? hide? and what on earth are we supposed to do when a dru 'masks' hypo?

also although i have a complete list of drugs that affect bgs, i'd like to know what categories of drugs affect bgs. i know for example that steroids (that have the 'sone' suffix like prednisone, dexamethasone,...) are one major category. what else?

[frizzyrazzy]

Yes, mask in this situation means hide, cover up.

Most of the drugs on that list are drugs that would be administered in a hospital setting (they are beta blockers and drugs given if you're in the ER for a suspected heart attack etc) And most are working on the adrenaline system in your body so that's why they're masking symptoms of lows.

So basically, you've got very little to worry about. :)

[wilf]

These drugs can have side effects like dizziness, which would mimic the dizziness many people feel when they are going low.

So the problem is that when someone with diabetes who can feel their lows coming on (because they get dizzy) takes this medication, and then is feeling dizzy all the time as a side effect of the medication. They attribute ANY dizzy feeling to the meds, and can get into a situation where without warning they're into much more severe low symptoms (seizure, fainting).

If you're on these meds you just need to know that they can mask low symptoms, and monitor BG much more closely..

[payam7777777]

thanks for replies. i first thought that these medications cause the meter to read normal when low.

[frizzyrazzy]

oh oh..I see what you mean. :) No they don't effect the meter reading or change it in anyway, just the body's perception of lows.

That 2nd set of drugs in the list are what actually cause lows, but to me there doesn't appear any one primary drug class (like steroids for hyperglycemia)

[lilituc]

Yes, it just means mask the symptoms. For example, I take Metoprolol, which is on that list. It stops the adrenergic response to hypos, so I don't get shaky or a rapid, pounding heartbeat when I am low.

[payam7777777]

i see... thanks.

[funnygrl]

Beta blockers ('lol's) slow down the heart rate. They're used to treat high blood pressure and high heart rates. Since tachycardia is a symptom for many of hypoglycemia, they're on the list.

[lilituc]

Beta blockers ('lol's) slow down the heart rate. They're used to treat high blood pressure and high heart rates. Since tachycardia is a symptom for many of hypoglycemia, they're on the list.

True, except mine is technically used to treat low blood pressure.

[funnygrl]

True, except mine is technically used to treat low blood pressure.
Can't say I've ever heard of a beta blocker used for low blood pressure. How does that work?

[mom_to_kenzie]

Beta blockers ('lol's) slow down the heart rate. They're used to treat high blood pressure and high heart rates. Since tachycardia is a symptom for many of hypoglycemia, they're on the list.

i too am on a beta blocker, my is for a essential hand tremor, they can be used to treat migraine headaches as well. So in my case not being a diabetic, if it were to happen, i would not know it from going low.

[lilituc]

Can't say I've ever heard of a beta blocker used for low blood pressure. How does that work?

It's a dysautonomia.

[funnygrl]

It's a dysautonomia.

Hmmm...so I would imagine they're used more for the tachycardia part than the low blood pressure part though, right?

I used to have POTS. I was on fludrocortisone and salt supplements, but I grew out of it.