Sugar-lowering pills are considered one of the most important and basic ways to treat type 2 diabetes, in addition to a healthy diet and physical activity.
The main issues with type 2 diabetics are the facts that they become resistant to insulin and unable to use it effectively, and it can also be accompanied with the lack of insulin production. This is where the use of sugar-lowering pills is necessary to become less insulin-resistant and to stimulate the pancreas to increase insulin production.
For treating and controlling sugar levels with type 2 diabetes patients, diabetes pills can be taken with or without insulin in addition to adapting to a healthier diet.
Types of Diabetes PillsMedical Name:
Glibenclamide
Gliclazide
Gliclazide
Glipizide
Glimepiride
How it Works: Stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin.
How to Use: It’s very important to consume the meal after the medication is taken to avoid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Side Effects: Possibility of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Medical Name:
Repaglinide.
How it Works: Stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin.
How to Use: It’s very important to consume the meal after the medication is taken to avoid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Side Effects: Possibility of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Medical Name:
Metformin
How it Works: Reduces insulin resistance and assists the body in using up insulin effectively.
How to Use: To be taken with meals. Two to three times a day.
Side Effects: Digestive problems (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, and gas), muscle weakness and bone loss
Medical Name:
Rosiglitazone
Pioglitazone.
How it Works: Reduces insulin resistance and assists the body in using up insulin effectively.
How to Use: Once or twice a day.
Side Effects: Weight gain, imbalance in kidney enzymes, and increased risk for heart stroke.
WHAT ARE THEY?
Also called Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, these are a new class of anti-diabetic agents that promote the INCRETIN EFFECT. That means they will naturally release insulin from your pancreas only when you eat food.
HOW DO THEY HELP CONTROL BLOOD GLUCOSE?
They help lower post-meal blood sugar levels. This is achieved in many ways:
WHAT IS THE MODE OF DELIVERY?
Currently, only subcutaneous injections are available. However, research is underway to provide them as a dermal patch that you can just fix on your arm.
ARE THEY A SUBSTITUTE FOR INSULIN PENS AND INJECTIONS?
GLP1 Analogues can help delay the need for insulin, but they are NOT a substitute for insulin. They may be used as an adjunct to your insulin therapy.
I HAVE TYPE 1 DIABETES AND I AM ON INSULIN. CAN I TAKE THESE MEDICATIONS?
No. These medications are currently approved for use in patients with type 2 diabetes.
CAN THE GLP1 ANALOGUES BE TAKEN ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH MY CURRENT MEDICATION?
Yes, these medications are licensed to be used either alone or in combination with any of your anti diabetic agents including insulin. The combinations are known to be safe. However, they must not be taken with Gliptins (Januvia, Onglyza, Galvus, Trajenta).
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS THAT I SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT?
Like all medications, the GLP1 analogues too have some side effects that are not harmful.These include
Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, increased sweating, indigestion, constipation and
loss of appetite. These side effects are mostly felt while beginning the medication, and they can reduce over time.
DIABETES HAS AFFECTED MY KIDNEYS. CAN I STILL TAKE GLP1 ANALOGUES?
Yes. However, your physician may decide to reduce the dose you take or even stop it depending on the status of your kidneys.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF GLP1 ANALOGUES AVAILABLE?
Currently, these are the GLP1 analogues available in the market:
NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR PATIENTS TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND DIABETES AND ITS MANAGEMENT AND MAY NOT BE USED TO GUIDE THERAPY. PLEASE DISCUSS WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE INITIATING OR CHANGING ANY MEDICATION/TREATMENT.
WHAT ARE THEY?
These are a class of anti-diabetic agents that indirectly promote the INCRETIN EFFECT. That means they will naturally release insulin from your pancreas only when you eat food. They are usually prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes who have not responded well to other drugs.
HOW DO THEY HELP CONTROL BLOOD GLUCOSE?
They work by blocking the action of DPP-4, an enzyme which destroys a group of gastrointestinal hormones called incretins. Incretins help stimulate the production of insulin when it is needed (e.g. after eating) and reduce the production of glucagon by the liver when it is not needed (e.g. during digestion). They also slow down digestion and decrease appetite. So, by protecting incretins from damage, DPP-4 inhibitors help regulate blood glucose levels. Because they can help reduce appetite, Gliptins may be beneficial for people with diabetes who need to lose weight.
WHAT IS THE MODE OF DELIVERY?
These are available as tablets that can be had with food.
ARE THEY A SUBSTITUTE FOR INSULIN PENS AND INJECTIONS?
They are NOT a substitute for insulin. They may be used as an adjunct to your insulin therapy.
I HAVE TYPE 1 DIABETES AND I AM ON INSULIN. CAN I TAKE THESE MEDICATIONS?
No. These medications are currently approved for use in patients with type 2 diabetes.
DO I NEED TO TAKE GLIPTINS?
That depends on what your anti diabetes agents are, and it also depends on your status of blood sugar control. This is indicated by your glycated hemoglobin, or HbA1c level. If you are not able to achieve optimal blood glucose control despite being on other oral agents, then your physician may prescribe Gliptins for you.
CAN THE GLIPTINS BE TAKEN ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH MY CURRENT MEDICATION?
Yes, these medications are licensed to be used either alone or in combination with any of your oral anti diabetic agents and insulin. The combinations are known to be safe. In fact, they are also available as a combined tablet with other oral antidiabetic agents.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS THAT I SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT?
Side effects are rare, but the following have been noted in some patients: nausea, diarrhoea and stomach pain, headache, runny nose, sore throat. Skin reactions such as painful skin followed by a red or purple rash. If you have a reaction which causes difficulty breathing or a severe skin reaction, call for medical help.
DPP-4 inhibitors have been linked with an increased risk of pancreatitis. If you experience a severe pain in your upper abdomen which may be accompanied with nausea and/or vomiting, call for medical help.
DIABETES HAS AFFECTED MY KIDNEYS. CAN I STILL TAKE GLIPTINS?
Yes. However, your physician may decide to reduce the dose of the gliptin you take or even stop it depending on the status of your kidneys. Linagliptin (Trajenta 5 mg) is currently the only one that may be prescribed without any dose reduction as it does not affect the kidney.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF GLIPTINS AVAILABLE?
Currently, these are available in the market:
NOTE: THIS INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR PATIENTS TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND DIABETES AND ITS MANAGEMENT AND MAY NOT BE USED TO GUIDE THERAPY. PLEASE DISCUSS WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE INITIATING OR CHANGING ANY MEDICATION/TREATMENT.
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