The blood glucose lowering effects of
chlorpropamide and other
antidiabetics can be increased by
karela.
Karela is used to flavour foods such as curries, and also used as a herbal medicine for the treatment of
diabetes mellitus. Health professionals should therefore be aware that patients may possibly be using
karela as well as more orthodox drugs to
control their
diabetes. Irregular consumption of
karela as part of the diet could possibly contribute to unexplained fluctuations in diabetic
control.