How to take care of a diabetic patient on getting COVID infection?

Question

Hello doctor,

My father has been suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure for four years. He has been infected with COVID -19. His blood sugar level has been above 300 mg/dL for the last three days, even after taking medicines on time. I am sharing his current medications with you. He takes Tablet Glycomet GP (Glimepiride), Tablet Metformin (500 mg) + Vildagliptin (50 mg) and Tablet Teldil-CT. What should be done? Kindly help with this.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your concern in detail and will surely help you out. Increased blood sugars are a known complication of COVID, especially in diabetes. Mostly it is due to steroid use, but there are other factors as well. However, there is no need to worry, we need to add a few medications, and blood sugars will be within normal. Apart from tablet Glycomet-GP (Glimepiride, Metformin, and Vildagliptin), he should be started with the following medications. He needs to take Tablet Glucreta (Dapagliflozin) 10 mg in the afternoon, Tablet Volix (Voglibose) 0.3 mg thrice daily and Tablet Pioglit (Pioglitazone) 7.5 mg twice daily. These medications will control his blood sugar levels. Kindly measure his blood pressure. Also, I would like to know the medicines he is currently taking for COVID. Do not worry; he will be fine with the proper treatment. Hope this helps. Kindly revert in case of further queries.