Effect of Antihypertensive Drugs on Insulin Absorption

Objective To examine the effects of antihypertensive drugs on the absorption of subcutaneously injected insulin. Research Design and Methods Eleven healthy volunteers (group 1) were given 1 mg/kg body wt propranolol three times a day during 48 h and a single dose on the morning of investigation. Seven other healthy volunteers (group 2) were given 10 mg nifedipine 30 min before subcutaneous injection of 10 U 125 I-labeled soluble insulin. Absorption was measured by counting radioactivity externally. In both groups, control experiments were conducted under the same conditions without administration of propranolol or nifedipine. Results Propranolol usage was associated with higher mean percentages of remaining activity ( P P P Conclusions Antihypertensive drugs can influence insulin absorption. Propranolol (a peripheral vasoconstrictor) decreases insulin absorption, whereas nifedipine (a vasodilatator) increases insulin absorption.