Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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AMBULATORY CARE:

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

is a life-threatening condition caused by dangerously high blood sugar levels. Your blood sugar levels become high because your body does not have enough insulin. Insulin helps move sugar out of the blood so it can be used for energy. The lack of insulin forces your body to use fat instead of sugar for energy. As fats are broken down, they leave chemicals called ketones that build up in your blood. Ketones are dangerous at high levels.

Common signs and symptoms include the following:

• More thirst and more frequent urination than usual
• Abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting
• Blurry vision
• Dry mouth, eyes, and skin, or your face is red and warm
• Fast, deep breathing, and a faster heartbeat than usual for you
• Weak, tired, and confused
• Fruity, sweet breath
• Mood changes and irritability

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) or have someone call if:

• You have a seizure.
• You begin to breathe fast, or are short of breath.
• You become weak and confused.

Seek care immediately if:

• You are more drowsy than usual.
• You have severe, new stomach pain and are vomiting.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• sodium bicarbonate
• Humulin R
• Humalog
• Novolin R
• Novolog

View more treatment options

Call your diabetes care team provider if:

• You have fruity, sweet breath.
• Your blood sugar level is lower or higher than your healthcare provider says it should be.
• You have ketones in your blood or urine.
• You have a fever or chills.
• You are more thirsty than usual.
• You are urinating more often than usual.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Medicines:

You may need the following:

• Insulin and diabetes medicine decreases the amount of sugar in your blood.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Help prevent DKA:

The best way to prevent DKA is to control your diabetes. Ask your healthcare provider for more information on how to manage your diabetes. The following may help decrease your risk for DKA:

• Monitor your blood sugar levels closely. You levels may go up if you have an infection, are stressed, sick, or have a trauma. Check your blood sugar levels often. You may need to check at least 3 times each day. If your blood sugar level is too high, give yourself insulin as directed by your healthcare provider.
• Manage your sick days. When you are sick, you may not eat as much as you normally would. You may need to change the amount of insulin you give yourself. You may need to check your blood sugar level more often than usual. Make a plan with your healthcare provider about how to manage your diabetes when you are sick.
• Check your ketones as directed. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about when you should check your blood or urine for ketones. Your healthcare provider may give you a machine to check your blood ketones. Urine ketones can be checked with sticks you dip in your urine. Do not exercise if you have ketones in your urine or blood. Exercise may increase the level of ketones in your blood or urine and cause dehydration.
• Know how to treat DKA. If you have signs of DKA, drink more liquids that do not contain sugar, such as water. Take your insulin as directed by your healthcare provider and go to the nearest emergency room.

Follow up with your diabetes care team provider as directed:

You may need to return often for blood tests. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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