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What Causes Vertigo When Corticosteroids And Insulin Are Taken Together?
Question: What is the chemical intreraction that causes vertigo when one mixes a corticosteroid with insulin?
Brief Answer:
None
Detailed Answer:
To the best of my knowledge, there is no published medical literature that has reported any vertigo when corticosteroids and Insulin are taken by the same individual.
However, there are a couple interactions between these two medications.
One is the glucose raising tendency of corticosteroids which may oppose the glucose-lowering effect of insulin. So when a person is taking these 2 mediations together, his or her diabetes control may not be as good as it would possibly have been without the corticosteroid on board. By the same token, persons with diabetes who are taking insulin are also generally prone to low blood glucose reactions. Owing to corticosteroids it is possible that such episodes may occur less frequently or be of less severity, because corticosteroids are notorious to elevate blood sugar levels (particularly in high doses).
When blood glucoses run high, it is possible to have various symptoms, some of which may mimic vertigo.
Secondly, if corticosteroids are used for greater than 3 weeks (over and above a certain dose threshold) and then stopped suddenly, a condition called adrenal insufficiency may result. Low blood glucoses can occur in this situation, which can be made worse by the presence of Insulin. Vertigo-like symptoms are very much possible during such 'hypoglycemic' attacks.
Corticosteroids like hydrocortisone can actually be given simultaneously in the same intravenous infusion as Insulin using a specific tubing technique. (Intravenous infusion refers to direct delivery of medications into the veins in a drip form). So they are compatible when administered together at same time.
None
Detailed Answer:
To the best of my knowledge, there is no published medical literature that has reported any vertigo when corticosteroids and Insulin are taken by the same individual.
However, there are a couple interactions between these two medications.
One is the glucose raising tendency of corticosteroids which may oppose the glucose-lowering effect of insulin. So when a person is taking these 2 mediations together, his or her diabetes control may not be as good as it would possibly have been without the corticosteroid on board. By the same token, persons with diabetes who are taking insulin are also generally prone to low blood glucose reactions. Owing to corticosteroids it is possible that such episodes may occur less frequently or be of less severity, because corticosteroids are notorious to elevate blood sugar levels (particularly in high doses).
When blood glucoses run high, it is possible to have various symptoms, some of which may mimic vertigo.
Secondly, if corticosteroids are used for greater than 3 weeks (over and above a certain dose threshold) and then stopped suddenly, a condition called adrenal insufficiency may result. Low blood glucoses can occur in this situation, which can be made worse by the presence of Insulin. Vertigo-like symptoms are very much possible during such 'hypoglycemic' attacks.
Corticosteroids like hydrocortisone can actually be given simultaneously in the same intravenous infusion as Insulin using a specific tubing technique. (Intravenous infusion refers to direct delivery of medications into the veins in a drip form). So they are compatible when administered together at same time.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
When I initially felt the vertigo/dizziness, I assumed it was low blood sugar, as that is what low bs feels like--I immediately ate a peanutbutter cracker and then took my bp--it was 132 which is not too low or extremely high. The dizziness had begun very lightly 3 days prior which is when I began the fluocinonide. Each day it was worse--on the third day I kjust happened to be going to my routine nephrologist appt/followup for results of lab work. The doc saw how dizzy I was, took bp and listenbed to my heart, which he said was racing and called paramedics who took me to the hospital for observation. I later asked my ENT who sasid it was the interaction between the steriod and insulin. I also am ADD and meds work backwards for me--I am also highly sensitive to epinephrinenwhich also sent me to the hospital from the dentist's office. What do you think is happening with my body chemistry?
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
You will need to see your Internist to get to the bottom of this, who may consider referring you to a cardiologist and neurologist.
Next time you get these symptoms, see if it is possible for someone to check your blood glucose level using a home monitoring device such as a glucometer. If the level is greater than 70 mg/dl, low blood glucose is extremely unlikely as the cause of your symptoms.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
You will need to see your Internist to get to the bottom of this, who may consider referring you to a cardiologist and neurologist.
Next time you get these symptoms, see if it is possible for someone to check your blood glucose level using a home monitoring device such as a glucometer. If the level is greater than 70 mg/dl, low blood glucose is extremely unlikely as the cause of your symptoms.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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