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Can Clonazepam Increase Glucose Levels?

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Posted 6/9/2010 11:58 AM (GMT 0)
My Mom is 86 years old and has had diabetes for over 30 years.  She is on insulin (70/30) twice a day, metformin (500mg bid), and glipizide (10mg bid).  Her blood glucose levels normally run in the 120s (range 100-145).

We switched her from lorazepam to clonazepam (0.25 mg bid; given about 7-8 hours apart).  She started the med on Friday and on Monday her glucose levels were up (225 in the morning; 254 before dinner; 276 at bedtime).  Her normal insulin dose is 8 units so my Dad gave her 10 units due to the increase.   On Tuesday morning, her FPG was 305 and she was given 14 units of insulin.  Her afternoon reading was 276.  Unfortunately, they are old and my Dad gave her 3 cookies and a banana as a snack before testing her Tuesday pm level.  However, she frequently has this type of snack and the levels might be 160.

I thought the glucometer might be broken so my Dad bought a new machine before taking the Tuesday pm reading.  It is now Wednesday morning and I am waiting to hear from my Dad who will take her morning reading when she gets up.   I have no idea why she suddenly spiked like this.

Has anyone encountered a situation where clonazepam increased glucose levels?  That is the only change we have made with her (and remember she was on lorazepam). confused smhair

Posted 6/9/2010 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the Diabetes Forum, sshort.  I don't know the answer so I googled to see if there's a relationship between the two and I couldn't find any absolute proof that her blood sugar would rise because of the switch in those meds.  Is it possible that she's changed what she's eating?  For example, the cookies and banana would cause high blood sugar as they discovered.  Please ask a pharmacist because he or she would know best how to answer.  Sorry I can't be much help.
Posted 6/9/2010 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Lanie.  I googled before posting and only found one Phase 1 study that showed a relationship with clonazepam and insulin in healthy volunteers (strange since you wouldn't expect healthy persons to have a response - I don't think.)

I know the cookies and bananas could contribute, but my Mom eats them all the time.  I am really beyond trying to "fuss" about what she eats since she is 86 (did fuss for many years and it did no good).

I am baffled.  I had my Dad give her lorazepam last night and she was at 156 this morning.  Not great, but not upper 200s either.

The interesting thing -- her appetite increased drastically on the drug.  It is a shame because the clonazepam was helping with anxiety.   Oh well, that is the nature of drugs when someone takes so many (as diabetics usually do).  A benefit in in one area and a potential detriment in others.

Again, thanks for responding.

Posted 6/9/2010 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Ahh, so maybe it's just the fact that she's eating more that's causing her blood sugar to rise.  It's sort of a secondary effect.  If she (and your dad) could figure out an eating plan where she's eating smaller meals more frequently, maybe that would make her less hungry and she can still take the new med.  And maybe a consultation with her doctor to adjust her diabetes meds.  Best of luck. 
Posted 6/9/2010 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Many thanks.  I have been in touch with her doc and see her on July 7. In the meantime, I have stopped the meds and she seems to be returning to normal.

Take a look at this articile  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC387833/  Interesting if I interpret it correctly (but maybe I didn't).

I forgot to mention that I did talk with the pharmacist when she started the highs.  She was not aware of this an an effect of clonazepam.

Posted 6/12/2010 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
The study you mention is the same one I came across when searching.

I don't have personal experience with the drugs you refer to but, I do believe there COULD be a correlation to BGLs, despite there not being conclusive evidence in web searching. I say this only because I've read (and experienced) effects to BGLs with meds that work with hormones.

I couldn't find any printed evidence of hair loss symptoms due to Cymbalta, for example, but I did find many who corroborated that fact on depression and/or anxiety and fibro forums. Maybe you want to try searching in these areas? Just a thought.

Curious... why the switch? Was Lorazepam not working anymore?
Posted 6/12/2010 3:51 PM (GMT 0)

sshort said...
Thanks, Lanie.  I googled before posting and only found one Phase 1 study that showed a relationship with clonazepam and insulin in healthy volunteers (strange since you wouldn't expect healthy persons to have a response - I don't think.)

I know the cookies and bananas could contribute, but my Mom eats them all the time.  I am really beyond trying to "fuss" about what she eats since she is 86 (did fuss for many years and it did no good).

I am baffled.  I had my Dad give her lorazepam last night and she was at 156 this morning.  Not great, but not upper 200s either.

The interesting thing -- her appetite increased drastically on the drug.  It is a shame because the clonazepam was helping with anxiety.   Oh well, that is the nature of drugs when someone takes so many (as diabetics usually do).  A benefit in in one area and a potential detriment in others.

Again, thanks for responding.

Clonazepam doesn't raise blood sugar but Prednizon will. Been there done that. But the 3 cookies and banana will increase the blood sugar as well as stress.

 

Hara

Posted 6/12/2010 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Phishbowl --  I hope you see my response since I am new to web "chatting" and not sure I am responding correctly.   First, thanks for your comments/thoughts. 

Then to answer your question on why we switched --  my Mom and Dad are old; she has Alzeheimer's and he is the caregiver.  Obviously, as a diabetic, she is on NUMEROUS drugs.  She has taken lorezapam "as needed" for many years but has recently needed it every day to help with Alz symptoms.  She is old/fragile and can only tolerate .5mg; it doesn't seem to last long enough to carry her into the afternoon when she takes her 2nd dose.  We were expecting/hoping that the clonazepam would have a longer, smoother effect.

Interestingly, she is returning to her norm since we took her off the clonazepam.  She sees her doc in early July and I plan to discuss trying clonazepam again (in case the drug was not the true cause/culprit of the spike).

I am concerned about her BGLs, but even more concerned about keeping her moods stable at this point in her life.  My Dad monitors her glucose 3 times a day (records it and the amount of insulin given) and has done this for many, many years.  Because of his diligence, she has been relatively healthy in spite of her diabetes (and loving her cakes and pies -- she is Southern!).

Posted 6/12/2010 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hara -- Agree. But she in not on prednisone at this time. This sudden 'blip' in her glucose might just be a medical mystery and we will just move on!
Posted 6/13/2010 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
The Prednizone comment was just for you information.

I've been on clonazepam 1mg for about a year or so and I haven't had any problems with my blood sugars. Maybe talk to her DR about hydroxyzpam or Darvoset--- I think that's right.? Those are very good for mood. She can get hooked on the Lorazapam.

I'm taking 1/2 to 1 whole Ambien to help me sleep.

Because if you don't get enough sleep then you will be no good to anyone. Insert she with you......

HARA

Posted 6/13/2010 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Many thanks Hara. Got my fingers crossed on this.
Posted 6/13/2010 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
I hope the appointment on the 7th will see the doctor trying something else. It's obvious that the new med isn't working/compatible with your Mom.

With a number of alternate med options in the same category to choose from (Hara named a couple), there will be one that'll work for your her. Sometimes it can be trial and error to find the right one but, perseverance usually finds it :-)

I find often that it's not the medicinal compound that's the problem but the the "packaging" that goes along with it is instead. I.e. generic vs. name brand drugs.

Good luck and I hope to hear things work out.

Cheers,
Kris
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