Can antibiotics raise blood sugar
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Can Antibiotics Raise Blood Sugar?
Antibiotics and Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Long-term Antibiotic Use and Diabetes in Women
Research has shown that long-term use of antibiotics can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. A study involving women from the Nurses' Health Study found that those who used antibiotics for extended periods had a higher risk of diabetes. Specifically, women who used antibiotics for 15 days to 2 months had a 23% higher risk, and those who used them for more than 2 months had a 20% higher risk compared to non-users1.
Systemic Antibiotics and Diabetes in Adults
Another study conducted in Canada also found a link between systemic antibiotic use and an increased risk of diabetes. This study accounted for various clinical and self-reported risk factors, suggesting that the association between antibiotics and diabetes is robust2.
Population-Based Case-Control Study in Denmark
A large-scale study in Denmark further supported these findings. It showed that individuals who had redeemed five or more antibiotic prescriptions had a 53% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with fewer prescriptions. The study also noted a dose-response relationship, where higher cumulative antibiotic use was associated with a greater risk of diabetes3.
Mechanisms Behind Antibiotics and Blood Sugar Levels
Gut Microbiome Alterations
One of the primary mechanisms by which antibiotics may influence blood sugar levels is through alterations in the gut microbiome. Antibiotics can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, which play a crucial role in nutrient metabolism and insulin sensitivity. This disruption can lead to metabolic changes that increase the risk of diabetes1 3 9.
Specific Antibiotics and Blood Sugar
Experiments on animals have shown that certain antibiotics, such as tetracycline and chlortetracycline, can elevate blood sugar levels. These antibiotics were found to inhibit glucose absorption in the intestines and slow down glucose utilization in tissues, leading to hyperglycemia. Insulin administration was able to counteract these effects, suggesting a direct impact of these antibiotics on blood sugar regulation6.
Mixed Effects of Different Antibiotics
Other studies have shown mixed effects of different antibiotics on blood sugar levels. For instance, while some antibiotics like streptomycin calcium chloride complex caused a slight rise in blood sugar, others like aureomycin slightly decreased it. However, these effects were not significant enough to draw definitive conclusions7.
Clinical Implications
Caution in Prescribing Antibiotics
Given the potential for antibiotics to increase the risk of diabetes and alter blood sugar levels, physicians should exercise caution when prescribing these medications, especially for long-term use. The benefits and risks should be carefully weighed, particularly in patients who are already at risk for diabetes1 3 5.
Need for Further Research
While current studies provide valuable insights, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between antibiotics and blood sugar levels. Future studies should focus on identifying specific antibiotics that pose the highest risk and elucidating the underlying mechanisms4 9.
Conclusion
In summary, there is substantial evidence suggesting that long-term and systemic use of antibiotics can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and affect blood sugar levels. These findings highlight the importance of cautious antibiotic use and the need for further research to better understand the mechanisms involved.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Long-term use of antibiotics and risk of type 2 diabetes in women: a prospective cohort study.
Long-term antibiotic use is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in women.
Observational StudySystemic use of antibiotics and risk of diabetes in adults: A nested case‐control study of Alberta's Tomorrow Project
Systemic antibiotic use is associated with an increased risk of diabetes in adults, but clinical and self-reported disease risk factors may explain these results.
Observational Study
Rigorous JournalUse of Antibiotics and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Population-Based Case-Control Study.
Antibiotic exposure may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, with higher risks seen with narrow-spectrum and bactericidal antibiotics.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalDuration of Pivalate-conjugated Antibiotics and Blood Glucose Levels Among Pediatric Inpatients: Causal Mediation Analyses and Systematic Review.
Pivalate-conjugated antibiotic use in pediatric inpatients did not show a significant association with blood glucose levels.
Systematic ReviewDiabetes: Antibiotics or prodiabetics?
Repeated antibiotic therapy in early life may increase the risk of developing diabetes mellitus in adulthood.
[Effect of certain antibiotics of tetracycline series on the level of blood sugar and the role of insulin in the mechanism of its regulation].
Tetracycline and chlortetracycline antibiotics can cause stable hyperglycemia in male rats, with insulin injections eliminating this effect.
Non-RCT
Animal StudyThe effect of antibiotics on the periodontal treatment of diabetic patients with periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Antibiotics can improve periodontal condition in diabetic patients with periodontitis, but the balance of benefits and risks must be considered before deciding to use them.
Meta-AnalysisFunctional consequences of microbial shifts in the human gastrointestinal tract linked to antibiotic treatment and obesity
Antibiotic treatment alters gut microbiota, leading to imbalanced sugar metabolism and potentially contributing to obesity.
Observational StudyRigorous Journal
Highly CitedComparative analysis of the efficacies of probiotic supplementation and glucose-lowering drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Multiple probiotics may be more beneficial for type 2 diabetes prevention than glucose-lowering drugs, as they reduce blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
Meta-Analysis