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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Cephalexin Cause Elevation In The Blood Sugar Levels?

I have a short term prescription for CEPHALEXIN 500 MG 2 x per day for 7 days. I am diabetic and it appears the use of CEPHALEXIN has greatly elevated my blood sugar scores - morning scores at 200. Is this to be expected? Keith at YYYY@YYYY
Thu, 19 Jan 2017
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi.

Incomplete data like age, gender, purpose of taking Cephalexin, drugs used for diabetes? Cephalexin does not increase the blood sugar levels.It is an antibiotic commonly used to treat susceptible bacterial infections like upper respiratory tract, urinary tract, and others.It is known to cause allergic reaction like rash and itching, diarrhea, etc.It does not increase the blood sugar level.

Illness or infection or stress can trigger high blood sugars because hormones produced to combat illness or stress can also cause your blood sugar to rise.People who do not have diabetes can make enough extra insulin to keep their blood sugar in a normal range during times of stress and illness.

People with diabetes may need to take extra diabetes medication to keep their blood sugar near normal during times of illness or stress. Other possible causes of high blood sugars include:

1. Not taking enough insulin or oral diabetes medication

2. Eating or drinking more carbohydrate than usual

3. Less activity or exercise than usual

4. Poor absorption of insulin at injection sites

In view of the above you are advised to consult your treating doctor to adjust the dose of insulin or oral medications for diabetes so as to keep your blood sugar within its normal range during the course of your illness.

Hope these answer your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. A feedback is appreciated.

Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
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General & Family Physician Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali's  Response
Hi,

Cephalexin is not known to cause high blood sugar levels. Cephalexin is an antibiotic commonly used to treat susceptible bacterial infections like upper respiratory tract infection or urinary tract infection. Its most common side effects include hypersensitivity or allergic reaction and diarrhea. It is unlikely to cause an increased blood glucose levels.

High blood sugar levels could be due to illness (such as infection) or stress. This is because the hormones produced to combat illness or stress can also cause your blood sugar to rise.People who do not have diabetes can make enough extra insulin to keep their blood sugar in a normal range during times of stress and illness.

However, people with diabetes may need to take extra diabetes medication to keep their blood sugar near normal during times of illness or stress. Other possible causes of high blood sugars include:

1. Not taking enough insulin or oral diabetes medication

2. Eating or drinking more carbohydrate than usual

3. Less activity or exercise than usual

4. Any change in your normal daily routine

5. Poor absorption of insulin at injection sites

You are therefore advised to consult your treating doctor to adjust the dose of insulin or other diabetes medication so as to control your blood sugar.

Hope these answer your query. Kindly rate the answers if you are convinced.

Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali
I find this answer helpful
General & Family Physician Dr. Ashakiran S's  Response
Hi,

I understand your concern. Cephalexin is a cephalosporin class of antibiotics. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria like that of upper respiratory infections, ear infections, skin infections and urinary tract infections. Most common side effect caused due to intake of the medication is diarrhea.

Dosage needs to be adjusted in patients with impaired renal function. The liquid form of Cephalexin may contain sugar and hence this may affect your blood glucose level if you are diabetic. Tablet or capsule forms are not known to affect your blood glucose levels.

Hope the information provided would be helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further.

All the best,
Dr. Ashakiran S
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Does Cephalexin Cause Elevation In The Blood Sugar Levels?

Hi. Incomplete data like age, gender, purpose of taking Cephalexin, drugs used for diabetes? Cephalexin does not increase the blood sugar levels.It is an antibiotic commonly used to treat susceptible bacterial infections like upper respiratory tract, urinary tract, and others.It is known to cause allergic reaction like rash and itching, diarrhea, etc.It does not increase the blood sugar level. Illness or infection or stress can trigger high blood sugars because hormones produced to combat illness or stress can also cause your blood sugar to rise.People who do not have diabetes can make enough extra insulin to keep their blood sugar in a normal range during times of stress and illness. People with diabetes may need to take extra diabetes medication to keep their blood sugar near normal during times of illness or stress. Other possible causes of high blood sugars include: 1. Not taking enough insulin or oral diabetes medication 2. Eating or drinking more carbohydrate than usual 3. Less activity or exercise than usual 4. Poor absorption of insulin at injection sites In view of the above you are advised to consult your treating doctor to adjust the dose of insulin or oral medications for diabetes so as to keep your blood sugar within its normal range during the course of your illness. Hope these answer your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. A feedback is appreciated. Regards, Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali