Drug interactions between antivirals, corticosteroids, and hypoglycaemic agents in diabetic patients with SARS-CoV-2 infec [Interacciones farmacológicas entre antivirales, corticoides e hipoglucemiantes en pacientes diabéticos con infección por SARS-CoV-2

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62574/pjkr9k03

Keywords:

COVID-19, diabetes mellitus, drug interactions

Abstract

Objective: To analyse drug interactions between antivirals, corticosteroids, and hypoglycaemic agents in diabetic patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Method: Systematic literature review in Google Scholar, PubMed, SciELO, and Elsevier during 2020–2024. Terms used: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, diabetes mellitus, drug interactions, antivirals, corticosteroids, and hypoglycaemic agents. Thirty articles that met the selection criteria were included. Results: Dexamethasone induces severe hyperglycaemia, requiring a 2-3-fold increase in insulin requirements. Remdesivir induced hyperglycaemia in 6-10% of patients. Tocilizumab modifies the pharmacokinetics of metformin. SGLT-2 inhibitors present a risk of euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis, requiring suspension during hospitalisation. Metformin poses a risk of lactic acidosis in severe COVID-19 with hypoxemia. Intravenous insulin therapy is the treatment of choice with glycemic targets of 140-180 mg/dL. Conclusions: Management requires transition to intravenous insulin therapy, discontinuation of oral hypoglycaemic agents, frequent glycemic monitoring, and personalised adjustments considering complex drug interactions.

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References

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Published

2025-10-20

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Originales breves

How to Cite

1.
Erazo-Santana DG, Rodríguez-Cunalata JD, Solís-Sánchez MI. Drug interactions between antivirals, corticosteroids, and hypoglycaemic agents in diabetic patients with SARS-CoV-2 infec [Interacciones farmacológicas entre antivirales, corticoides e hipoglucemiantes en pacientes diabéticos con infección por SARS-CoV-2. CER [Internet]. 2025 Oct. 20 [cited 2026 Jul. 27];3(especial2):151-64. Available from: https://revistasinstitutoperspectivasglobales.rperspectivasinvestigativas.org/index.php/CER/article/view/914

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