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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should Methylprednisolone 4mg Intake Be Stopped If It Increases Blood Sugar Levels?

My pulmonologist put me on methylprednisone 4mg for bronchitis. i m on day 3 of six. my blood sugar has been going up a and is now 390 after the last dose even increasing lantus and Humalog to the max. I can t reach her or my endocrinologist. I should stop taking it - right?
Wed, 19 Apr 2017
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Diabetologist,  's  Response
Hello, Thanks for the query.
I have gone through the details. As you have mentioned, due to Methylprednisolone 4 mg, blood glucose level is definitely going up. (390 mg). There is no mention whether before taking this drug, blood glucose levels were normal or not. Because 390 mg is too high. Since you are Insulin (two types), earlier levels must have been well controlled. Corticosteroids are known to increase blood glucose levels as they have a strong diabetogenic action. Your physician must have been aware of it. He should have advised you on how to control glucose during this treatment,as it appears you are in the need of that drug. Once that treatment is over or the drug is discontinued, glucose levels will revert. But you are not suppposed to abruptly stop a steroid. There has to be a slow tapering of the dose. So even if you want to discontinue do the same in consultation with the pulmonologist. Increasing insulin dose and adjusting diet also can help in cotrol of rising glucose level. Thanks.
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Should Methylprednisolone 4mg Intake Be Stopped If It Increases Blood Sugar Levels?

Hello, Thanks for the query. I have gone through the details. As you have mentioned, due to Methylprednisolone 4 mg, blood glucose level is definitely going up. (390 mg). There is no mention whether before taking this drug, blood glucose levels were normal or not. Because 390 mg is too high. Since you are Insulin (two types), earlier levels must have been well controlled. Corticosteroids are known to increase blood glucose levels as they have a strong diabetogenic action. Your physician must have been aware of it. He should have advised you on how to control glucose during this treatment,as it appears you are in the need of that drug. Once that treatment is over or the drug is discontinued, glucose levels will revert. But you are not suppposed to abruptly stop a steroid. There has to be a slow tapering of the dose. So even if you want to discontinue do the same in consultation with the pulmonologist. Increasing insulin dose and adjusting diet also can help in cotrol of rising glucose level. Thanks.