Do Cough Drops Raise Blood Sugar?
Yes, most cough drops contain sugar and will raise blood glucose levels, but the magnitude depends on the type and amount consumed.
Sugar Content and Glycemic Impact
- Traditional cough drops contain 2-5 grams of sugar per lozenge, which will raise blood glucose similarly to other simple sugars 1.
- Any form of carbohydrate that contains glucose will raise blood glucose levels 1.
- 10 grams of oral glucose can raise blood glucose by approximately 40 mg/dL over 30 minutes, and 20 grams can raise it by 60 mg/dL over 45 minutes 1.
- Simple sugars from cough drops raise blood glucose approximately as much as sucrose and behave similarly to other dietary sugars 2.
Clinical Significance for Different Patient Populations
For People with Diabetes
- The total carbohydrate content is the priority factor that determines postprandial glucose response in insulin-requiring patients 1.
- Multiple cough drops throughout the day can contribute 10-30+ grams of carbohydrate, which is clinically significant and may require insulin adjustment 1.
- People with diabetes should account for cough drop carbohydrates in their meal planning, just as they would for any other carbohydrate source 1.
Sugar-Free Alternatives
- Sugar-free zinc gluconate glycine lozenges (like Cold-Eeze) do not adversely affect glucose control in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes maintained on stable therapy 3.
- Sugar-free options containing artificial sweeteners like sucralose may actually enhance GLP-1 release and lower blood glucose when consumed with carbohydrates in healthy subjects, though this effect is not seen in type 2 diabetic patients 4.
Practical Recommendations
- Choose sugar-free cough drops if you have diabetes or are concerned about blood glucose control 3.
- If using regular cough drops, limit to 1-2 lozenges at a time and space them throughout the day 1.
- Monitor blood glucose more frequently when using cough drops regularly during illness, as intercurrent illness itself can worsen glycemic control 1.
- For insulin-requiring patients, consider counting cough drop carbohydrates toward total daily intake and adjust insulin accordingly 1.
Common Pitfalls
- Don't assume "medicated" means sugar-free—always check the label for carbohydrate content 1.
- Avoid using multiple cough drops in rapid succession, as this can cause cumulative glucose elevation similar to consuming candy 1.
- Remember that illness-related stress can independently raise blood glucose, so the combined effect of illness plus sugar-containing cough drops may be greater than expected 1.