Diabetes Medication

Diabetes Medication :: Oral Diabetes Medication - work best in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes medications are grouped in categories based on medication type. There are several categories of oral diabetes medicine -- These five classes of diabetes drugs work in different ways to lower blood glucose levels.

Drugs (Brand Name)	Function / Effectiveness	Frequency of Usage	Side Effect / Caution
Sulfonylureas Chlorpropamide ( Diabinese) Glipizide (Glucotrol and Glucotrol XL) Glyburide (Micronase, Glynase, and Diabeta) Glimepiride (Amaryl)	Stimulate the beta cells of the pancreas to release more insulin, which then lowers your blood sugar. For this medication to work, your pancreas has to make some insulin. If your pancreas makes no insulin at all, you aren't a good candidate for this class of drugs	Generally taken one to two times a day, before meals.	low blood sugar, an upset stomach, skin rash or itching, weight gain, hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels).
Biguanides Metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Riomet, Fortamet and Glumetza).	Improve muscle cell sensitivity towards insulin so glucose can be absorbed Lower blood glucose levels primarily by decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and prevent it from releasing stored glucose.	Usually taken two times a day.	appetite loss, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea. should not be used in people who have kidney damage or heart failure because of the risk - lactic acidosis: build up of acid in the body.
Thiazolidinediones Pioglitazone (ACTOS) Rosiglitazone (Avandia) Troglitazone (Rezulin)	Improve insulin's effectiveness (improving insulin resistance) in muscle. Lower the amount of glucose released by the liver. Make fat cells more sensitive to the effects of insulin.	Taken once or twice a day with food.	swelling (edema), weight gain, shortness of breath (rare case), heart failure.
Alpha-glucosidase Acarbose (Precose) Meglitol (Glyset)	Help the body to lower blood glucose levels by blocking and slowing enzymes that help digest starches.	Should be taken with the first bite of a meal.	gas and diarrhea, liver fuction abnormalities (high doses of Acarbose).
Meglitinides Repaglinide (Prandin) Nateglinide (Starlix)	Stimulate the beta cells to release insulin.	Taken before each of three meals.	hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels).

Oral combination therapy
Each of the above listed diabetes drugs works differently in lowering blood glucose levels, therefore, they may be used together. There are several combination pills that combine two medications into one tablet. For example, Glucovance, which combines glyburide (a sulfonylurea) and metformin; Metaglip, which combines glipizide (a sulfonylurea) and metformin; Avandamet - combination of metformin and rosiglitazone (Avandia).

Many combinations can be used. Though taking more than one drug can be more costly and can increase the risk of side effects, combining oral medications can improve blood glucose control when taking only a single pill does not have the desired effects. Switching from one single pill to another is not as effective as adding another type of diabetes medicine i.e. proper diet and regular exercise program.

In general, diabetes pills are safe and work well. But like any other drug, they must be used with care. Ask your doctor if you are concerned about any of these side effects. While you're taking diabetes pills, you should check with your doctor even before starting anything new -- even over-the-counter items.

Note : People with type 1 diabetes don't make insulin. For them, insulin shots are the only way to keep blood glucose levels down.

Note : People with type 2 diabetes tend to encounter two problems: they don't make quite enough insulin and the cells of their bodies don't seem to take in glucose as eagerly as they should.

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