
July 1, 2000
Other Medications
Question from :
Is Moduretic (a thiazide) or Atenolol (a beta blocker) contraindicated in Type 2 diabetes? I thought both of these would make blood sugars rise.
Answer:
You are correct in supposing that both the thiazide drugs and the beta blockers without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity increase glucose intolerance in Type 2 diabetes. This is especially so when they are used together; but the problem can be circumvented by using ACE inhibitors as a first antihypertensive drug and by reducing the thiazide dose to as little as 6.25 mg hydrochlorothiazide a day. The mechanisms are complex, but you can find several reports by searching in PubMed.
DOB