Why are diabetics supposed to avoid exposure to sunlight?

Question

I'm gonna ask my dr. but I just noticed on 2 of my pill bottles it says to avoid exposure to sunlight. Anyone know why

Answer 1

The medications which you are taking will make you sensitive to the sun and you will be more likely to burn. Yes, the pills should be kept out of the heat, sun, etc in order to ensure their stability and effectiveness, but this is not what the warning is referring to. You need to make sure you don't spend extended periods of time in the sun and wear sunscreen in order to avoid sunburn.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

i would say its both the pill shouldn't be exposed to sunlight. .because im a type 1 diabetic and have never been told not to be out in the sun for too long as a diabetic only for the same reasons as everyone else would be concerned about. Also alot of medications can make you burn easier so it could also be because the pills make you more prone to being burnt while in the sunlight

Answer 4

Yes, yes you are, and be sure to avoid churches and garlic too.

Seriously, though, unless you are on medications, primarily certain antibiotics, there is no reason why a diabetic would avoid exposure to the sun.. unless of course you are a vampire diabetic :)

The warning is meant for the pills to be protected from the sun...

Good Luck.

Answer 5

The medications make you more sensitive to sunlight and more prone to heat injury as well. We diabetics have to be more careful in the warm months whatever medication we use, because we're simply more at risk. Heat injuries include heat stroke, heat exhaustion and sunstroke. They can be rapidly fatal. We need to remember to drink plenty of liquids - water is by far the best and beer the worst - and take plenty of rest breaks from working or playing hard. I haven't suffered such problems myself, but during my career as a nursing supervisor, I saw people every summer brought into my emergency room suffering from heat injury. We only lost one such patient - but we were just plain lucky - actually, I should have said it was the others who were the lucky ones!

Answer 6

The medicine caused extreme sensitivity to sun. My wife is a diabetic and even putting on SPF 40 sunscreen she still burns in a few minutes out doors.

Answer 7

The Pills should not be exposed to Sunlight -
that is what the instructions mean!!

Answer 8

its not necessarily diabetics that need to avoid sun exposure it could be any one with any problem its the medication that makes your skin sensitive to sun light there are many medications for many different illnesses and problems that cause hyper sensitivity to sun exposure yours just happens to be one and it just happens to be for diabetes

Answer 9

I avoid sunlight because I don't want skin cancer, but none of my doctors have ever told me about that... could be that your medicine makes your skin more sensitive?

Answer 10

The pills-not you.