Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. It's a chronic disease managed by keeping the blood glucose, also called sugar, levels as close to normal as possible. Many foods, medicines and even illnesses can affect your blood glucose level. Therefore, you have to be very careful when selecting medications to treat your cold. You don't want to take an over-the-counter medication that will increase your blood glucose levels too much.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is one of the ingredients in many over-the-counter cough and cold combination products. A person with diabetes may use it with no effect on glucose control. It relieves the pain of headaches, body aches and sore throats that may accompany a cold or flu. Acetaminophen also reduces fever.
Guaifenesin
Guaifenesin is an expectorant--a medicine that thins and loosens phlegm or thick mucus. It's used in a number of cough and cold products. Alone, it has no adverse effects on your glucose levels, but certain formulations containing alcohol and sugar will adversely affect your glucose levels. So, avoid products containing these potentially harmful ingredients. Reading the labels will ensure you choose an appropriate product. An even better option is choosing a cough product like Diabetic Tussin, sugar-free and alcohol-free Robitussin or Scot-Tussin, which are specifically formulated for people with diabetes.
Dextromethorphan
Dextromethorphan is a medicine used to suppress coughs. It's often used in combination with guaifenesin. Like guaifenesin, it will not raise your glucose levels when used alone. Choose formulations containing this product that don't have sugar or alcohol as an ingredient. Select a product like Diabetic Tussin DM or Robitussin DM Sugar-Free Syrup. These are just a select few of diabetes-specific products on the market. Consult your pharmacist for more options.
Diphenhydramine/Chorpheniramine
Diphenhydramine--a primary ingredient in Benadryl--and Chlorpheniramine--the active ingredient in Chlor-trimeton--are both antihistamines. These agents are mainly useful for treating allergy symptoms like sneezing and watery, itchy eyes, but may relieve a runny nose or cough associated with a cold. They will not raise your blood glucose levels. Both can be purchased alone or in combination with other cough and cold ingredients. If purchased in combo, be sure to check the label to ensure the product is sugar- and alcohol-free. This is especially important when buying a liquid form of a cough and cold medicine, because these formulations are more likely to contain sugar or alcohol.
