Drugs which cause diabetes

It is clear from this review that a number of drugs, some of them in widespread use, may have as a side effect a diabetogenic action. Whether this effort occurs when there is no underlying genetic predisposition to diabetes is, at this stage in our knowledge, hard to determine. However, at a time when the incidence of diabetes mellitus is rising steadily in our community, any potential cause for even a proportion of such cases must be seriously considered. Whether at some stage in the future it will be possible to determine either on a genetic profile, or on a pharmacological profile those patients who are likely to develop such side effects, is yet to be seen. Meanwhile, a constant vigilance towards our patients treated with these drugs is required, and a readiness on the part of the physician to arrange the appropriate investigations, and where necessary to rearrange therapy, is essential.