Diabetic Medications

When diet, exercise and ideal body weight aren’t enough to maintain normal blood sugar level, you may need to start medication. Medications used to treat diabetes include insulin too. Usually, people with Type 1 diabetes don't use oral medications. Diabetes Medications work best in people with Type 2 diabetes who are having high blood sugar for less than ten years with normal weight or obesity. Some people who begin treatment with oral medications eventually need to take insulin. Unfortunately, insulin cannot be taken in pills form because enzymes in your stomach alter it, which makes it ineffective. Hence, insulin is taken with insulin syringe or insulin pump.

Insulin and oral diabetes medications deliberately work to lower your blood sugar. In certain cases medications taken for other conditions may affect glucose levels. Blood sugar levels may rise due to corticosteroids. Thiazides medications are used to control high blood pressure and niacin is used to lower high cholesterol. Your doctor has to change your diabetes treatment, if you need to take certain high blood pressure medications.

Number of drug options exists in market for treating type 2 diabetes, including

SULFONYLUREAS

Since 1994, sulfonylureas is the only drug used for diabetes in United States. It stimulates the pancreas for the production of more insulin to lower down the blood sugar. It can be effective when the pancreas can release some insulin by its own. Sulfonylureas such as glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase) and glimepiride (Amaryl) are prescribed more often. If your body is sensitive to sulfa drug then you must avoid sulfonylureas.

Side Effects:

BIGUANIDES

Metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR) is the generic name of this drug. It works by inhibiting the production and release of glucose from your liver. It also lowers down the insulin secretion. One good thing about biguanides drug is that it tends to low down weight gain than do others. It can also improve blood cholesterol level, which is generally high if you are type 2 diabetic.

Side Effects:

• If you already have a kidney problem, metformin may build up in your body. Inform your doctor when you are placed on this medication regarding your kidney problem.
• If you are vomiting, have diarrhea, and can't drink enough fluids, you may need to stop taking this diabetes medication for a few days.
• You may feel metallic taste.
• If you are going for medical test using dye, or planning to opt for any surgery, then inform your doctor about your metformin intake. He will instruct you to stop taking metformin for some specific period.

Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are of two types, acarbose and miglitol. They block the enzymes of digestive system which are responsible for the break down of the starches you eat. The sugar produced is absorbed slowly and helps prevent the rise of blood sugar level throughout the day, but usually right after meals. Drugs under this class are Acarbose (Precose) and Miglitol (Glyset).

Side Effects:

• Stomach problems such as gas, bloating and diarrhea etc.- temporary effects.
• High dosages may cause permanent changes in liver.