Insulin resistance leads to Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Obesity, high caloric intake, and a sedentary lifestyle all contribute to insulin resistance.
Some medications also cause insulin resistance, and they are commonly used.
Thiazides
Thiazides are “water pills.” It is one of the front line medications used to treat hypertension as recommended by the ACC/AHA Guidelines.
Beta-blockers
Metoprolol and atenolol are widely prescribed for hypertension. They are especially indicated in patients with hypertension and a history of heart disease.
Statins
Statins are known to many as “cholesterol-lowering drugs.” Pravastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin are a few examples.
Niacin
Another medicine to lower cholesterol. Niacin was heavily recommended before as it reduces the LDL and raises the HDL.
Steroids
Prednisone is commonly used for asthma, chronic lung diseases, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus. Long term use raises blood sugar to diabetic levels.
But Wait, There’s More!
If that sounds a lot, here is a PDF with 8 pages of medications that can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). The list consists of antihypertensives, cholesterol medications, antivirals, antifungals, birth control pills, anti-anxiety, and antidepressants. Check them out to see if anything is familiar.
If you are taking any of the medications listed above, don’t stop using them if they are prescribed. Talk to your doctor and discuss the risks and benefits. There may be a need to be screened for diabetes, especially with prolonged use.
The antihypertensives (thiazides and beta-blockers) and the cholesterol medications (statins and niacin) are intended to lower your cardiovascular risk. However, they may increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetic patients are 2 times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than nondiabetic patients.
Diabetes lowers the lifespan by 12 years in males and 19 years in females.
Take Away Message
Diet and exercise may prevent and lessen the need for hypertension and diabetes medications. A low carbohydrate diet, intermittent fasting, and physical activity, whether they are aerobic, High-intensity Interval, and resistance exercise training are all proven to be of benefit. As recommended in the 2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
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