Pregnant women and those with diabetes should desist from using Covidex, a herbal drug, doctors have warned.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda (PSU) says although Covidex was approved by the National Drug Authority as a supportive treatment for Covid-19, it has an active ingredient, berberine, which can harm the foetus in the womb as well as lower blood sugar levels in the body.

“Besides the benefits that everyone is reporting, a few adverse events [after using the drug] may happen because of the active ingredient in the medicine. If you are a diabetic patient, this drug reduces the blood sugar significantly which then throws someone into a state of hypoglycaemia,” Dr Pamela Achii, the PSU President, is quoted by sections of media as saying.

To help keep yourself safe and your diabetes under control:

• Test and track your blood sugar. Take medication or insulin as directed.
• Stock up on prescription medicine, insulin, and testing supplies.
• Clean your testing, infusion and finger-stick sites well with soap and water or rubbing alcohol.
• Stay in touch with your health care team. Keep your regular visits. Call right away if you are worried about your diabetes or you feel sick.
• Take care of your mental health. People with diabetes are up to three times more likely to be depressed than people without it. Do things that make you happy. Check in with family and friends.

If You Get Sick

If you feel like you start getting symptoms of COVID-19 —  like fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, sore throat, headache, and loss of taste or smell — call your doctor. Also remember:

• COVID-19 can raise your blood pressure, Make sure you take your medications as directed. Ask your doctor if you should monitor your blood pressure at home or change the meds you take.
• Check your blood sugar more often if you’re sick. Call your doctor if it stays above 250 mg/dL. If your blood sugar falls below 70 mg/dL or your target range, eat 15 grams of simple carbs (juice, hard candy, etc.) and recheck again in 15 minutes to make sure your levels are going up.