Diabetes Medication

Medication for diabetes depends on the type of diabetes one has. Below are a few medicines used in diabetes treatment...

Insulin: This needs to administer externally to the person. This type of medication is generally used in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Oral medication is not generally used for type 1 diabetes.

Sulfonylureas: Sulfonylureas forces the pancreas to produce more insulin and hence making sure that the blood sugar level is lowered. Some sulfonylureas act the whole day, therefore you can take it once a day, while some need to be taken twice a day. The side effects of sulfonylureas are fall in the blood sugar, making it low, stomach upset, itching or skin rashes and an increase in weight.

Biguanides: The non-branded name of this particular medicine is metformin. It facilitates in lowering the blood sugar levels and makes sure that too much sugar is not produced by the liver. It may also improve your blood fat levels as well as the cholesterol levels. Depending on the blood sugar level you may have to take 2 or 3 tablets a day with your meal. The side effects include:

1. Metformin could make you go sick if you consume alcoholic drinks for more than four times a week.

2. This drug may build up and cause complications in your body if you have any kidney problem.

3. You should stop taking metformin for some days if you are vomiting and are not able to take any fluids.

4. Occasionally you may feel weak, dizzy or tired and may even have breathing problem when you are on this medication.

5. One may observe a metallic taste in their mouth.

Please do get immediate medical attention incase you have these side effects.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors: The 2 main types of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are miglitol & acarbose. These inhibitors tend to block the very enzymes which digest the starches one eats. Thus, lowering and slowing the rise of blood sugar level throughout the whole day. These medications are generally taken 3 times a day and should be consumed right at the start of the meal. The side affects of these inhibitors are stomach problems like gas formation, bloating and also diarrhea. These side affects stay only for the initial few days.

Thiazolidinediones: The non branded or generic names for these drugs are troglitazone & pioglitazone. This medication works in a way which makes your cells more insulin sensitive. Pioglitazone is consumed once a day while troglitazone is generally taken either one or two times in a day. The side effects of this medication are:

1. Your liver enzymes need to be regularly checked.

2. If you are taking other diabetes drugs with this medication, your blood sugar might fall very low.

3. This type of medications may lessen the effect of your birth control pills.

4. You may gain weight.

5. You may develop anemia.

6. Swelling and discomfort in the ankles or legs may happen.

Meglitinides: This new kind of medication makes your pancreas to produce insulin in greater quantity just after your meals, which brings down the blood sugar. The non-branded name of one of this type of medication is repaglinide. Care should be taken that this medication is not taken if & when you skip your meal, as it happens to lower the blood sugar level for an hour and is usually out of the blood stream in 3-4 hours. The side effects of these types of medications are weight loss and low sugar levels.