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Does Keppra Interact With Metformin And Glipizide?

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Posted on Mon, 17 Apr 2017
Question: I have had diabetes Type II In 2013 I had tumors removed and the hospital gave me
insulin shots 3 times a day and took me off of metformin and glipizide. Now I am back on the metformin an glipizide tablets. My problem is that ever since then, I cannot get my numbers where they should be. Before surgery they were ok. Now since the surgery,
I also take Kepra. Could this be interferring with the metformin and Glipizide?
What happened to me?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Elona (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You should further insist on diet and exercises.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear,
I have gone through your question and understood your concern.

Keppra (levetiracetam) is an anti-epileptic drug, also termed as an anticonvulsant.
This drug does not interfere with your metformin and glipizide and I don't think it is the cause of your difficulties in diabetes control.

In my opinion, it's important to further initiate on lifestyle changes like weight management, healthy nutrition, and regular exercise apart your diabetes medications.

I'm sure that these steps will help return your blood sugar level closer to normal, which can delay or prevent complications.

I always talk with my diabetic patients that:

1. There's no specific diabetes diet. However, it's important to monitor your diet on these high-fiber, low-fat foods,
Fruits,
Vegetables,
Whole grains

A dietician can teach you how to monitor your carbohydrate intake and let you focus on how many carbohydrates you need to eat during your meals and snacks to keep your blood sugar levels more stable.

2. Do discuss with your doctor before you start an exercise program. Then choose activities you enjoy, such as walking, swimming, and biking. What's most important is making physical activity part of your daily routine.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days of the week

Remember that physical activity lowers blood sugar. For this reason, I'd suggest to check your blood sugar level before any activity.

You might need to eat a snack before exercising to help prevent low blood sugar because you take glipizide, a diabetes medications that lower your blood sugar.

If all these steps do not help to get your numbers where they should be, maybe you should take other diabetes medications(there are lots of possible treatments) if you do not like to try with the insulin therapy.

Let me know your blood sugar results, after the lifestyle changes(as we discussed earlier).

Hope this information is helpful.
If you have other doubts, feel free to ask.
Best regards.
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Elona

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 939 Questions

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Does Keppra Interact With Metformin And Glipizide?

Brief Answer: You should further insist on diet and exercises. Detailed Answer: Hello Dear, I have gone through your question and understood your concern. Keppra (levetiracetam) is an anti-epileptic drug, also termed as an anticonvulsant. This drug does not interfere with your metformin and glipizide and I don't think it is the cause of your difficulties in diabetes control. In my opinion, it's important to further initiate on lifestyle changes like weight management, healthy nutrition, and regular exercise apart your diabetes medications. I'm sure that these steps will help return your blood sugar level closer to normal, which can delay or prevent complications. I always talk with my diabetic patients that: 1. There's no specific diabetes diet. However, it's important to monitor your diet on these high-fiber, low-fat foods, Fruits, Vegetables, Whole grains A dietician can teach you how to monitor your carbohydrate intake and let you focus on how many carbohydrates you need to eat during your meals and snacks to keep your blood sugar levels more stable. 2. Do discuss with your doctor before you start an exercise program. Then choose activities you enjoy, such as walking, swimming, and biking. What's most important is making physical activity part of your daily routine. Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five days of the week Remember that physical activity lowers blood sugar. For this reason, I'd suggest to check your blood sugar level before any activity. You might need to eat a snack before exercising to help prevent low blood sugar because you take glipizide, a diabetes medications that lower your blood sugar. If all these steps do not help to get your numbers where they should be, maybe you should take other diabetes medications(there are lots of possible treatments) if you do not like to try with the insulin therapy. Let me know your blood sugar results, after the lifestyle changes(as we discussed earlier). Hope this information is helpful. If you have other doubts, feel free to ask. Best regards.