Has anyone experienced low blood sugar when taking Velcade?
My blood sugar went down to 40 over the weekend. I had been noting that it had been lower than usual and causing visual problems, but when I tested my blood sugar on Saturday and Sunday, it was 40 to 50, and I have had a terrible time getting it up. I had my Velcade shot on last Wednesday, so maybe the shot is wearing off now since my blood sugar is back to around 100.
Anyone else had this problem?
Forums
9 posts
• Page 1 of 1
-
barbara1200 - Name: barb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 75
Re: Can Velcade cause low blood sugar?
Hi Barb,
I've never heard of this before. I checked, though, and here's something interesting. The prescribing information for Velcade actually mentions that the drug may cause fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
"During clinical trials, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia were reported in diabetic patients receiving oral hypoglycemics. Patients on oral anti-diabetic agents receiving Velcade treatment may require close monitoring of their blood glucose levels and adjustment of the dose of their anti-diabetic medication."
See section 8.8 of the prescribing information at the FDA website:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/021602s040lbl.pdf
This got me to wondering if Kyprolis, which is in the same class of drugs as Velcade, has a similar warning in its prescribing information, which you can view here:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/202714s008lbl.pdf
As far as I can tell, Kyprolis doesn't have a similar warning.
Good question!
I've never heard of this before. I checked, though, and here's something interesting. The prescribing information for Velcade actually mentions that the drug may cause fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
"During clinical trials, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia were reported in diabetic patients receiving oral hypoglycemics. Patients on oral anti-diabetic agents receiving Velcade treatment may require close monitoring of their blood glucose levels and adjustment of the dose of their anti-diabetic medication."
See section 8.8 of the prescribing information at the FDA website:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/021602s040lbl.pdf
This got me to wondering if Kyprolis, which is in the same class of drugs as Velcade, has a similar warning in its prescribing information, which you can view here:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/202714s008lbl.pdf
As far as I can tell, Kyprolis doesn't have a similar warning.
Good question!
Re: Can Velcade cause low blood sugar?
My doctor had me on Dexamethasone at the same time as Velcade, and Dex causes high blood glucose, so I didn't have low blood glucose when I was getting Velcade shots.
Blood Glucose of 40 is definitely low - were you eating a normal diet? You might have a glass of orange juice when your blood glucose is that low and see if it brings it back up to normal.
Cathy
Blood Glucose of 40 is definitely low - were you eating a normal diet? You might have a glass of orange juice when your blood glucose is that low and see if it brings it back up to normal.
Cathy
-
antelope1225 - Name: Cathy1225
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 25 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Can Velcade cause low blood sugar?
Cathy I did try orange juice which brought it back to about 60 but I was so low it was very difficult to bring it back up. I ate everything I could think of to bring it up & finally called my drug store & they had some glucose drops so I got them. After about 5 of them I got it back up to 110. It was a real pain & has taken me several days to get my energy back. I'm 77 so it was pretty hard on my system but am now feeling better. Will have to check with my Oncologist to see if he wants me to stay on the Velcade or not.
-
barbara1200 - Name: barb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 75
Re: Can Velcade cause low blood sugar?
I have had the exact opposite occur, more or less - the dex has made my blood sugar spike to over 200 at times. Are you also taking dex? I assume so, but maybe not? What TerryH said was spot on about fluctuations. What did your doctor say about this?
-
tmcd - Name: TMcD
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Oct 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Can Velcade cause low blood sugar?
Hi Barb,
I'm really sorry that it took so long for you to get your sugar level back up.
Cathy is right that steroids like dex and prednisone will usually RAISE your blood sugar, so that could complicate things a bit if you're taking some of those at the same time that you're taking Velcade.
Still, I wouldn't drop the Velcade just because of the sugar problems it's causing. If you're taking oral anti-diabetics or insulin to control your sugar -- which I'm guessing you are -- then perhaps you and your doctor can figure out a way to adjust the dosage of those medications on the days after your Velcade injection so that your blood sugar doesn't get so low.
Maybe you feel differently, but I would think the most important thing right now is treating and controlling your myeloma, and that's why staying on the Velcade is important.
Your doctor will probably be able to help you better in terms of adjusting your diabetes medication doses if you bring him a couple sets of your blood sugar numbers for the days after your Velcade injections. If you have an endocrinologist who helps you with your diabetes, you also might want to get him or her involved in these discussions.
Good luck!
I'm really sorry that it took so long for you to get your sugar level back up.
Cathy is right that steroids like dex and prednisone will usually RAISE your blood sugar, so that could complicate things a bit if you're taking some of those at the same time that you're taking Velcade.
Still, I wouldn't drop the Velcade just because of the sugar problems it's causing. If you're taking oral anti-diabetics or insulin to control your sugar -- which I'm guessing you are -- then perhaps you and your doctor can figure out a way to adjust the dosage of those medications on the days after your Velcade injection so that your blood sugar doesn't get so low.
Maybe you feel differently, but I would think the most important thing right now is treating and controlling your myeloma, and that's why staying on the Velcade is important.
Your doctor will probably be able to help you better in terms of adjusting your diabetes medication doses if you bring him a couple sets of your blood sugar numbers for the days after your Velcade injections. If you have an endocrinologist who helps you with your diabetes, you also might want to get him or her involved in these discussions.
Good luck!
Re: Can Velcade cause low blood sugar?
Terry,
I am going to try to get at least one more shot of the Velcade, if indeed it has helped my numbers after we do the blood work. Will try to work with the blood sugars up and downs.
Also, am now having a lot of itching in my whole body, but no welts that I can see. This has been going on for several days now, so don't know if it's the Velcade or not. Have stopped all other supplements, so hope it clears up soon.
I am going to try to get at least one more shot of the Velcade, if indeed it has helped my numbers after we do the blood work. Will try to work with the blood sugars up and downs.
Also, am now having a lot of itching in my whole body, but no welts that I can see. This has been going on for several days now, so don't know if it's the Velcade or not. Have stopped all other supplements, so hope it clears up soon.
-
barbara1200 - Name: barb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 75
Re: Can Velcade cause low blood sugar?
Hi Barb,
If you're getting your Velcade as an injection, rather than as an infusion (IV), the itching you're experiencing may be an unusual, expanded form of the "injection site reaction" that many people get with Velcade injections.
Forum member "dranton" mentioned in the forum discussion "Rash from Velcade injections - side effect?" (started June 17, 2012) that he had a similar reaction as you've had after his Velcade injections. The problem went away when he switched to getting the Velcade as an infusion instead of an injection.
That may be an option you'll want to discuss with your doctor.
Good luck!
If you're getting your Velcade as an injection, rather than as an infusion (IV), the itching you're experiencing may be an unusual, expanded form of the "injection site reaction" that many people get with Velcade injections.
Forum member "dranton" mentioned in the forum discussion "Rash from Velcade injections - side effect?" (started June 17, 2012) that he had a similar reaction as you've had after his Velcade injections. The problem went away when he switched to getting the Velcade as an infusion instead of an injection.
That may be an option you'll want to discuss with your doctor.
Good luck!
Re: Can Velcade cause low blood sugar?
I've been taking Velcade by injection for amyloidosis. Amyloidosis patients have some unique reactions to Velcade and generally the drug works quite well.
My blood glucose is 60, but I'm at the end of treatment. I did get an itching reaction for a few days, after my last shot, but it has subsided. This was odd and unexpected.
This is my second treatment with Velcade. My first treatment was 5 years ago and was done by infusion without dex, I realized a complete remission for 5 years,
The second treatment has been by shot with dex.
Both times, I experienced side affects. I have had breathing issues, which are quite rare and were diagnosed as pulmonary hypertension. These symptoms completely resolved after I stopped the treatment the first time. The breathing issues seem to start within 12-24 hours after each shot or infusion with varying degrees of intensity.
Velcade was relatively new 5 years ago, so the breathing issue was very frightening the first time round. This time I knew what to expect and reacted accordingly.
If you do have breathing issues, You should talk to your doctor,
I was able to deal with this issue effectively by resting and staying very still for a few hours. Don't talk on the phone or so. Then go back to the bed or couch. I'm not sure why, but It seems to be very, very important to move around a little.
The incidents last about 4-5 hrs, and then they're over. I feel great once they resolve, but it takes another 24-48 hours to fully recover, Take it slow for a few days.
My blood glucose is 60, but I'm at the end of treatment. I did get an itching reaction for a few days, after my last shot, but it has subsided. This was odd and unexpected.
This is my second treatment with Velcade. My first treatment was 5 years ago and was done by infusion without dex, I realized a complete remission for 5 years,
The second treatment has been by shot with dex.
Both times, I experienced side affects. I have had breathing issues, which are quite rare and were diagnosed as pulmonary hypertension. These symptoms completely resolved after I stopped the treatment the first time. The breathing issues seem to start within 12-24 hours after each shot or infusion with varying degrees of intensity.
Velcade was relatively new 5 years ago, so the breathing issue was very frightening the first time round. This time I knew what to expect and reacted accordingly.
If you do have breathing issues, You should talk to your doctor,
I was able to deal with this issue effectively by resting and staying very still for a few hours. Don't talk on the phone or so. Then go back to the bed or couch. I'm not sure why, but It seems to be very, very important to move around a little.
The incidents last about 4-5 hrs, and then they're over. I feel great once they resolve, but it takes another 24-48 hours to fully recover, Take it slow for a few days.
-
paula219
9 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Return to Treatments & Side Effects