Glucose (urine) Tests-drug

How the Drug Works

Glucose does not normally appear in the urine, but when too much glucose builds up in the blood, the excess spills over from the kidney into the urine where it can be detected by specially designed plastic test strips and reagent tablets containing chemicals which detect glucose in urine. Color changes occur according to the amount of sugar present.

Regular monitoring of glucose levels aids in the control of diabetes. It will help determine medication, exercise and dietary needs and help decrease complications (eg, kidney and eye problems) and problems during pregnancy.

Ketones appear in the urine when the body breaks down body fats to use as a source of energy or food. This can occur in fasting individuals, out­of-control diabetics and individuals on starvation diets. Proteins in the urine may be an early sign of kidney disease.

Uses

To detect glucose in urine.

To aid diabetics in monitoring medication regimens, diet and exercise programs.

To help prevent the development of complications and problems during pregnancy.

Avoid contact with skin, mucous membranes or clothing. If contact occurs, flush the affected area with large amounts of water. If test strips, tape, or tablets are eaten or rubbed in the eyes, contact your doctor or local poison control center immediately. If eaten, do not induce vomiting; instead, drink large amounts of water or milk. If contact with the eyes occurs, flush with water for 15 minutes. Get prompt medical attention.

Specimen Collection and Handling: Collect fresh urine in a clean, dry container and test as soon as possible. (An alternate method is to pass the test strips directly through the urine stream). If testing cannot be done within an hour after collection, refrigerate. Let it return to room temperature before testing. Prolonged exposure of unpreserved urine to room temperature (59° to 86°F) may result in bacterial contamination and bacterial consumption of the glucose. Urine preservatives may also affect the accuracy of test results.

Storage and Handling: For bottled strips-Store at room temperature (59° to 86 F). Do not store the bottle in direct sunlight. Protect from light, heat, and moisture.

Keep unused test strips in the original bottle with the cap tightly closed. Always replace the cap immediately and tightly. A new bottle of test strips can be used for 6 months after first being opened. Always write the date you first opened the bottle on the bottle label. Do not use the product after the expiration date. Use of strips beyond the expiration date may yield inaccurate test results. Never transfer strips to another bottle. Do not remove drying agent from the bottle. The agent absorbs moisture and keeps the strips dry. Never put cotton or other materials in the bottle. If test areas are discolored or darkened, throw the strip away and use a strip from a new bottle.

For tablets - Tablets have prolonged stability in the unopened container if stored at room temperature between 59° and 86°F. Do not refrigerate. Do not store in direct sunlight. Once the bottle is opened, protect from moisture. Excessive moisture may cause a chemical reaction and a bottle explosion may occur. Use tablets on a regular basis and do not store for extended periods of time after the bottle is opened. Recap the bottle tightly immediately after removing a tablet. Tablets in foil must be used immediately upon opening. Protect tablets from light, heat and moisture. Do not open the bottle in a steamy bathroom. Moisture causes tablets to turn a deeper shade of blue. If tablets darken or if test results seem questionable or inconsistent with expected findings:

Confirm that product is within expiration date shown on label or foil. Check performance with a positive control. If proper result is not obtained, discard and retest with a fresh tablet.

Tablets: Sugars other than glucose will cause a positive test result. These sugars include: Lactose, fructose, galactose, and pentose.

Ketones: High levels of ketones may cause false positive test results for urine containing small amounts of glucose.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or planning to take any over­the-counter or prescription medication or dietary supplements while testing for urine glucose. The following drugs and drug classes may interact with the test to cause questionable results:

Aspirin (large amounts)

Riboflavin

Nalidixic acid (Neg Gram)

Sulfa drugs (eg, sulfonamides)

Nitrofurantoin (eg, Furadantin)

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

Phenazopyridine (eg, Pyridium)

Guidelines for Use

Follow instructions on the label exactly.

Glucose is not normally detected in urine.

Monitor urine for glucose and ketones as prescribed. Monitor urine ketones if your blood glucose level has been greater than 300 mg/dL for 2 consecutive blood glucose determinations. Blood glucose monitoring is recommended to achieve normal blood sugar levels. Keep track of your blood glucose results so that adjustments in your treatment program can be made more easily.

Participate in a thorough diabetes education program so that you understand diabetes and all aspects of its treatment, including diet, exercise, personal hygiene, and how to self-monitor blood or urine glucose.

Diabetics - Monitor glucose: When you have a cold, the flu or any other kind of illness. When you "feel" the signs of high blood sugar (more than 240 mg/dL) or when your blood sugar is well over the range your doctor has set for you (if you do blood glucose monitoring).

When you are under unusual physical or emotional stress.

During pregnancy after a testing pattern has been established with your doctor or educator.

Have all the materials you need before beginning the test: Test strips, timer (stopwatch or watch with a second hand), and a clean dry container.

Color vision is needed to properly read test results. Have someone else confirm the test results if in doubt.

If test results seem questionable, check expiration date on the label, repeat the test using a new test strip or tablet and a fresh urine specimen.

If your are unable to identify the cause of a low or high test result, contact your doctor or diabetes educator. Know the symptoms of hypergly cemia (high blood sugar), which include thirst, hunger and frequent and excessive urination and those of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which include trembling, sweating, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, and tingling or numbness around mouth or fingertips.

Individuals with high uric acid, bilirubin cholesterol, triglyceride, or hematocrit levels may have lowered glucose levels.

Diabetes education may be obtained through your local chapter of the American Diabetes Association.

Some of these items can cause burns. Avoid contact with skin, eyes, mucous membranes, and clothing. Keep away from children.