Most Americans occasionally experience symptoms associated with the common cold or seasonal flu. In many cases, patients may consider using over-the-counter cough syrups to alleviate the symptoms of cough and chest congestion. Unfortunately for diabetics, cough syrups often contain enough sugar to elevate blood glucose levels; however, sugar-free cough syrups are available for purchase as an alternative to traditional cough formulas.
Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, 8 percent of the total US population has been diagnosed with either diabetes type 1 or type 2. Type I diabetes occurs as a result of insufficient insulin production by pancreatic cells. In contrast, type 2 diabetes is a result of poor sensitivity and response to insulin by tissue and muscle cells. In either case, diabetes is a metabolic disorder that causes high blood glucose within the blood stream.
High Blood Sugar
If left untreated, prolonged exposure to high blood sugars places diabetic patients at risk for the development of complications including heart disease, renal failure, amputations, blindness and neuropathies. Although much of the glucose found in the bloodstream comes from food sources that are high in carbohydrates, certain liquid medications like cough syrup may also contain sugars that have been added as a sweetener.
Sugar in Cough Syrups
According to the Lab Data Plus website, Robitussin cough syrups contain high fructose corn syrup. Fructose is a monosaccharide sugar that converts to glucose and is absorbed into the body. Although the extent to which sugar found in cough syrups affects blood sugar is unclear, the potential for elevated blood glucose remains.
Sugar-Free Cough Syrups
According to the product website, the manufacturers of Robitussin also produce a sugar-free cough formulation for diabetics. In addition to the exclusion of high fructose corn syrup, these products are also formulated without sorbitol, a sugar-based alcohol. Diabetics who have trouble controlling blood sugars and want to use a liquid cough preparation to alleviate symptoms of cough and congestion should consider using a sugar-free cough syrup. Patients should speak to a physician with concerns regarding diabetes and treatments for upper respiratory infections.
