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Ibuprofen Effects on Blood Sugar in Diabetics

Diabetes is a complex disease, and keeping your blood sugar in control requires more than just counting carbohydrates. Many outside factors, including over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen, may have an impact on your glucose levels.

  1. Diabetes Drug Interactions

    • Ibuprofen may cause an adverse reaction in a diabetic taking oral medication to control his blood sugar, like Diabinase or Orinase. This can lead to unusually high or low blood sugar readings.

    General Effect on Blood Sugar Readings

    • Aside from the potential diabetes drug interactions mentioned above, Ibuprofen should not cause blood sugar levels to drop or spike noticeably.

    Frequency

    • Taking Ibuprofen every once in awhile, even if you have diabetes, is generally considered safe. However, regular or prolonged use of Ibuprofen is where problems occur. Discuss diabetes-friendly alternatives with your doctor if you have an ongoing need for NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

    Kidney Complications

    • Multiple studies have linked the regular intake of Ibuprofen with increased chance of kidney failure. Since diabetes already increases your risk for kidney complications, Ibuprofen may worsen these odds.

    Blood Pressure Drug Complications

    • If you have high blood pressure–a common occurrence among diabetics–you should also be aware that Ibuprofen can negate the effects of many blood pressure medications, including many beta blockers, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors.

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