As a National Strategic Partner of the American Diabetes Association, Rite Aid supports the diabetes community by providing educational resources to people affected by diabetes and by helping to raise funds for research and educational programs in the community. Rite Aid has trained pharmacists to answer your diabetes questions and discuss your options for managing diabetes, along with a wide variety of products for those living with diabetes.
Please review the list of most recently asked questions below, as well as the archive of previously asked questions, and if your area of concern is not addressed, we encourage you to submit a question to our expert – be sure to check back in two weeks to see the answer.
Top 15 Questions & Answers
Updated May 28, 2009
- Can you get boils on your skin from diabetes? If so, how would you treat them?
- I need to have an antibody test to determine if I have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Will Imuran® affect the antibody test?
- What happens if I inject NPH insulin into the muscle?
- Is it safe to reuse needles for injecting insulin?
- What is the maximum dose of glipizide for an adult?
- Is chelation therapy ever indicated for diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, or diabetic neuropathy?
- Will taking Extra Strength Excedrin® for a headache affect my blood sugar?
- Can stress contribute to high blood sugar readings?
- Can diabetes be reversed if caught in the early stages?
- Can people with diabetes take prednisone? What side effects should I be aware of?
- Can I still donate blood when taking metformin and Crestor®?
- What are the effects of D-Ribose on a person with diabetes?
- I have on-going diarrhea and the doctor can not find the cause... Could it be the metformin that I am taking?
- Do all type 1 diabetics take insulin?
- How does using OTC phenylephrine nasal spray affect my blood glucose readings?
1. Can you get boils on your skin from diabetes? If so, how would you treat them?
Skin infections, including boils or infected hair follicles (folliculitis), are common complications for people with diabetes. Usually folliculitis can be managed by using warm compresses and topical antibiotics. However, people with diabetes need to be diligent and careful with skin infections, as they can be serious if not properly treated. People with diabetes should consult their physicians with suspected infections so they can be evaluated and treated appropriately.
2. I need to have an antibody test to determine if I have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Will Imuran® affect the antibody test?
Based on current literature, there is nothing to indicate that therapy with Imuran® will affect the insulin-antibody test. Taking Imuran® should not alter test results, but it is important that your healthcare professionals know all the medications, herbal supplements, and over-the-counter (OTC) products that you are currently taking.
3. What happens if I inject NPH insulin into the muscle?
Insulin NPH, as well as other insulins, are meant to be injected into the fatty layer of tissue under the skin, or subcutaneously. Injecting NPH into the muscle may not only be more painful, but it could cause the insulin to be absorbed faster. If you do accidentally inject insulin into the muscle, monitor your blood sugar more closely and be aware of the symptoms of low blood sugar.
4. Is it safe to reuse needles for injecting insulin?
It is generally not recommended to reuse needles because of the damage that can be done to the tips after just one use. Even if you cannot see the damage, the tips of the needles can be dulled and weakened. Reused needles do not inject as easily or cleanly and can cause pain, bleeding, or bruising.
5. What is the maximum dose of glipizide for an adult?
Glipizide comes in two different forms – regular glipizide (brand name Glucotrol®) and extended-release tablets (brand name: Glucotrol XL®). The maximum daily dose of glipizide in adults is 40 mg per day. The maximum dose of extended–release glipizide in adults is 20 mg/day.
6. Is chelation therapy ever indicated for diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, or diabetic neuropathy?
Chelation therapy is an investigational therapy using a man-made amino acid, called EDTA. It is added to the blood through a vein and it is used to treat heavy metal poisoning. An international research study is now testing whether chelation therapy is safe and effective for treating heart disease. However this has not been scientifically proven. Likewise, based on current literature and research, chelation therapy has not been studied or proven effective in the management or treatment of diabetes or complications of diabetes. Therefore, it is not recommended for treatment of these conditions.
7. Will taking Extra Strength Excedrin® for a headache affect my blood sugar?
Extra Strength Excedrin® contains acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine. Caffeine may cause a slight increase or decrease in blood sugar. Monitor your blood sugar as you normally do and report any problems to your physician.
8. Can stress contribute to high blood sugar readings?
Yes, stress can contribute to high blood sugar. Stress strains your body in a number of ways. First, whether mental or physical, stress puts your body into action – this is called the fight or flight response. During fight-or-flight, your cells require more energy, or more glucose. People with diabetes, however, usually do not have enough insulin to help your muscles use that extra glucose, so it builds up in your blood. Also, people experiencing stress may not be taking good care of themselves. Stress may cause people to eat more, exercise less, etc. It is important to recognize how stress affects you, and learn various ways to manage stress and better control diabetes.
9. Can diabetes be reversed if caught in the early stages?
Diabetes cannot be reversed if caught in the early stages, however, with proper management and control, the complications of diabetes can be managed or even prevented. Diet and exercise are important, first-line therapies effective in managing the early stages of diabetes. It is important to talk to you doctor about what strategies and treatments are best for you.
10. Can people with diabetes take prednisone? What side effects should I be aware of?
Prednisone is a steroid used to treat a variety of conditions. It is true that one of the side effects of prednisone is increased blood glucose. However, people with diabetes can still use prednisone if needed. It is important to test your blood sugar daily using your blood sugar meter and report any problems to your physician. You should continue your diabetes regimen as you normally do, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Other side effects of prednisone can include: insomnia, or trouble sleeping; nervousness; an increase in appetite; indigestion; dizziness or lightheadedness; headache; muscle aches or pains; a short-term increase in blood pressure; and fluid retention.
11. Can I still donate blood when taking metformin and Crestor®?
In most cases, taking medication does not prevent you from donating blood. People with diabetes are able to donate blood if their diabetes is under control, and as long as they have not used bovine (beef) insulin made from cattle in the United Kingdom. Always check with your doctor to make sure you are well enough to donate. Blood Eligibility Guidelines have been established by the American Red Cross. Metformin and Crestor® are not listed as medications that would prevent you from donating. For more information on donating blood and to view the Blood Eligibility Guidelines, visit the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org.
12. What are the effects of D-Ribose on a person with diabetes?
D-Ribose is a simple sugar found naturally in the body that plays an important role in the metabolism, or breakdown, of glucose. It lowers blood sugar by inhibiting an enzyme that converts glycogen to glucose.
D-Ribose has been used orally to increase athletic performance and muscle function recovery, boost muscle tissue energy, and enhance the effectiveness of creatine, and replenish energy stores. It has also been used to treat the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, improve exercise tolerance, maintain or increase energy stores in the heart or muscle cells, and improve quality of life in individuals with reduced cardiac blood flow. Unlike pharmaceuticals, "natural" products are not required to undergo the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval process to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness. The FDA only regulates the package labeling, prohibiting a product from making claims that it is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent a disease. Even though D-Ribose is an over-the-counter (OTC) supplement, it can lower blood sugar and it may interact with medications. Before taking any OTC medication or supplement, it is important to check with your doctor to be sure it is appropriate for you and will not adversely affect your current treatment.
13. I have on-going diarrhea and the doctor can not find the cause... Could it be the metformin that I am taking?
Diarrhea, along with other gastrointestinal side effects, is common with metformin therapy. It is known to last as long as 4-6 weeks with continued therapy causing a very small percentage of patients to discontinue use. There are suggested ways to avoid/reduce these side effects such as starting at the lowest dose of metformin, gradually increasing toward the optimum dose, and taking metformin with meals.
14. Do all type 1 diabetics take insulin?
Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the body destroys its own insulin producing cells resulting in the inability to produce insulin and transport glucose. Therefore, patients with type 1 diabetes need insulin treatment permanently. Some experimental procedures including islet or whole organ pancreas transplant may allow patients to no longer require insulin therapy. These procedures have limited availability and are still being studied, but seem to hold promise for the future.
15. How does using OTC phenylephrine nasal spray affect my blood glucose readings?
Over the counter nasal sprays containing phenylephrine may cause an increase in blood glucose and should be avoided in patients with diabetes unless recommended by their physician.
Don't see your question answered? Check the archive of previously answered questions.
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