Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Medication Can I Take To Avoid Going Into A Diabetic Coma While Treating Glaucoma In My Left Eye, Hypothyroidism And Type II Diabetes?
Question: I have glaucoma in my left eye. My ophthalmologist originally prescribed Latanoprost, that was stopped and Timolol was prescribed, then recently a combination of Dorzolamide/Timolol was prescribed.
I have Hypothyrodism and Type II Diabetes, taking oral meds and insulin. I usually am able to tell when my blood sugar drops too low and then take glucose. Even at night, I usually am able to wake up because of the low blood sugar symptoms. Just last night I was hospitalized because I had a seizure and went into a diabetic coma. My sugar levels have stabilized now. I was reading that Dorzolamide can hinder being able to recognize low blood sugar, which is not a good thing for me. Is there anything that can be substituted in this case?
I have Hypothyrodism and Type II Diabetes, taking oral meds and insulin. I usually am able to tell when my blood sugar drops too low and then take glucose. Even at night, I usually am able to wake up because of the low blood sugar symptoms. Just last night I was hospitalized because I had a seizure and went into a diabetic coma. My sugar levels have stabilized now. I was reading that Dorzolamide can hinder being able to recognize low blood sugar, which is not a good thing for me. Is there anything that can be substituted in this case?
Brief Answer:
Medicines that do not contain beta blockers may be used
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Beta-blocker –Timolol- may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar. But dorzolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor group medicine) has not been reported to mask the symptoms of low blood sugar.
You may consult with your doctor for the prescription of a medicine that does not contain beta blockers such as timolol, carteolol or betaxolol. These medicines may get absorbed into the bloodstream after being applied to the eye and affect receptors that you may not experience symptoms of low blood sugar.
Therefore, carbonic anhydrase inhibitor group medicine (dorzolamide) can be used without timolol. Or a different group of medicines such as alpha 2 agonist group (apraclonidine, Brimonidine) may be used.
This group of medicines will not mask the symptoms of low blood sugar, but may slightly increase blood sugar levels. Combination of alpha 2 agonist and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (simbrinza) may also be used.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you.
Regards
Medicines that do not contain beta blockers may be used
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Beta-blocker –Timolol- may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar. But dorzolamide (carbonic anhydrase inhibitor group medicine) has not been reported to mask the symptoms of low blood sugar.
You may consult with your doctor for the prescription of a medicine that does not contain beta blockers such as timolol, carteolol or betaxolol. These medicines may get absorbed into the bloodstream after being applied to the eye and affect receptors that you may not experience symptoms of low blood sugar.
Therefore, carbonic anhydrase inhibitor group medicine (dorzolamide) can be used without timolol. Or a different group of medicines such as alpha 2 agonist group (apraclonidine, Brimonidine) may be used.
This group of medicines will not mask the symptoms of low blood sugar, but may slightly increase blood sugar levels. Combination of alpha 2 agonist and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (simbrinza) may also be used.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Thank you.
Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
