This content originally appeared on diaTribe. Republished with permission.
By Arvind Sommi
Medications like aspirin, Tylenol, and vitamin C can potentially impact the accuracy of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). Listed below are steps to make sure reliable diabetes management.
While continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can provide real-time data and alerts to assist individuals with diabetes make informed decisions about their health, certain common medications can interfere with a tool’s accuracy and effectiveness.
That’s because certain prescription and over-the-counter medications cause reactions within the interstitial fluid, the place just underneath the skin’s surface where CGMs measure blood glucose levels. Depending on what model of CGM you’re using, here’s what to observe out for.
Dexcom
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
High doses of acetaminophen have been observed to affect the accuracy of Dexcom G4 CGM. Acetaminophen can produce a chemical response within the interstitial fluid, resulting in increased levels of a compound called acetaminophen glucuronide.
This compound may be mistakenly detected by the CGM sensor as glucose, leading to false high glucose readings. While the Dexcom G6 has reduced its sensitivity to acetaminophen, taking greater than the utmost dose (over 1 gram every six hours in adults) could falsely raise blood glucose readings.
Hydroxyurea
Regardless that sensitivities to acetaminophen have been reduced, the Dexcom G6 CGM system still shows an issue when used with a drug called hydroxyurea, which is used for cancer treatment and sickle cell anemia.
Dexcom’s website states that in case you’re taking hydroxyurea, your blood sugar readings could also be higher than your actual blood glucose. This could possibly be dangerous as it could result in missed hypoglycemia alerts or errors when analyzing and interpreting your blood sugar patterns for optimal diabetes management.
Dexcom doesn’t recommend using their CGM system in case you are taking hydroxyurea. Fortunately, only a small variety of continuous glucose monitor users take medications like hydroxyurea.
Abbott
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
While vitamin C is important for our health, extremely high doses – similar to those present in certain supplements or cold medications like Airborne and Emergen-C – can potentially affect the accuracy of the Freestyle Libre 2.
High levels of vitamin C could cause an electrochemical interference with the CGM sensor, resulting in inaccurate glucose readings. Abbott’s website states that taking on 500 mg of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) per day may alter sensor readings, which could cause you to miss a severe low blood sugar event.
Salicylates (aspirin)
Drugs that contain salicylates – like aspirin – have been related to potential CGM interference of the FreeStyle Libre 14 day flash glucose monitoring system.
While the precise mechanism is just not fully understood, salicylates may influence the chemical composition of the interstitial fluid, affecting the sensor’s ability to accurately measure glucose levels. Abbott reports that taking aspirin while using that model of CGM could lead to lower glucose readings.
Steps you possibly can take to avoid CGM interference
It’s necessary to notice that not everyone will experience interference with their CGMs while taking these or other medications.
The degree of interference can vary from individual to individual and from device to device. Some CGM devices is probably not affected in any respect. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to concentrate on any potential interactions with the CGM you might be using and take any obligatory precautions to make sure accurate glucose monitoring.
We recommend fastidiously reading your device’s safety labels and speaking along with your healthcare provider if you could have questions on your CGM. If you happen to are taking any of the medications mentioned, consider double-checking with a fingerstick glucose meter or discussing alternatives along with your healthcare provider.
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