Does Gabapentin increase blood sugar?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Does Gabapentin increase blood sugar?
No, Gabapentin is not commonly associated with increased blood sugar levels. Even if some people have experienced this side effect, it was quite insignificant.
In fact, Gabapentin is safely used by diabetic patients for the management of neuropathic pain. It wouldn’t have been this way if Gabapentin was associated with high blood sugar levels. Gabapentin is generally not known for causing an increase in blood sugar levels or blood pressure.
According to some research studies, Gabapentin can significantly lower your blood glucose levels. The study observed the hypoglycemic effects of Gabapentin on both diabetic and non-diabetic patients, and it was concluded that some people experienced severe hypoglycemia at the end of the study (1,2).
This indicates that Gabapentin can cause a number of different effects in different individuals. Just make sure you monitor your side effects properly and report them to your healthcare provider, and don’t stop the medication abruptly.
What factors can affect your blood sugar levels while taking Gabapentin?
While Gabapentin itself is not known to directly increase blood sugar levels, certain factors can affect your blood sugar levels while taking the medication. These factors include:
Coexisting conditions
If you have an underlying medical condition such as diabetes or impaired kidney function, it can impact your blood sugar regulation, and the effects may be influenced by the combination of Gabapentin and your existing condition.
Other medications
Concurrent use of other medications, especially those known to affect blood sugar levels (such as certain antipsychotics or corticosteroids), can potentially influence your blood sugar levels when taken alongside Gabapentin.
Lifestyle factors
Your diet, physical activity level, and overall lifestyle habits can play a role in your blood sugar management. Changes in these factors can affect your blood sugar levels independently of Gabapentin.
What to do if your blood sugar is going high while taking Gabapentin?
Reach out to your doctor or healthcare team, if you notice that your blood sugar levels are rising while taking Gabapentin. Your doctor can provide guidance and evaluate whether there are other underlying factors contributing to the increase.
It is also important to discuss the possibility of interactions between Gabapentin and any other medications you are taking. Certain medications may affect blood sugar levels, and adjustments or alternatives may be necessary.
Furthermore, you should evaluate your dietary habits and consider making adjustments to help manage blood sugar levels (3,4). Focus on consuming a balanced diet with controlled portions of carbohydrates, sugars, and high-fibre foods.
It is also important to monitor your blood sugar levels consistently, especially during periods of concern. This can help identify patterns and fluctuations, providing valuable information for your healthcare provider to make informed decisions.
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References
1.-
Scholl JH, van Eekeren R, van Puijenbroek EP. Six cases of (severe) hypoglycaemia associated with gabapentin use in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2015 May;79(5):870-1. doi: 10.1111/bcp.12548. PMID: 25387462; PMCID: PMC4415723. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4415723/
2.-
Hayes WJ, Ferdinand A, Neabore S, Kappes JA, Hayes KM, Berendse J. Patient Case Report: Gabapentin-Induced Hypoglycemia. J Pharm Pract. 2022 Apr;35(2):298-301. doi: 10.1177/0897190020961229. Epub 2020 Sep 29. PMID: 32990167. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32990167/
3.-
Kurbanov SK, Khasaev ASh, Gapparov MM. Vliianie razlichnykh produktov pitaniia na uroven’ sakhara v krovi u bol’nykh sakharnym diabetom i ozhireniem [Effects of various food products on blood sugar level in patients with diabetes mellitus and obesity]. Vopr Pitan. 1991 Jan-Feb;(1):35-8. Russian. PMID: 2042318. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2042318/
4.-
Gray A, Threlkeld RJ. Nutritional Recommendations for Individuals with Diabetes. 2019 Oct 13. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Blackman MR, Boyce A, Chrousos G, Corpas E, de Herder WW, Dhatariya K, Dungan K, Hofland J, Wilson DP, editors. Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000–. PMID: 25905243. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279012/
