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Diabetes is a medical condition in which the blood glucose (sugar) level is too high. Glucose is obtained from the food we eat and is the main energy source for the body. A hormone called insulin, which is made in the pancreas, controls blood glucose levels. Insulin helps the glucose go from the blood to the cells and get used for energy. When the body doesn’t make enough insulin or makes no insulin at all, the glucose stays in the blood and cannot reach the cells. The high levels of sugar in the blood can cause various serious health problems over time. An estimated 30 million Americans have diabetes. More worrisome, however, is the fact that 1 out of 4 people with diabetes do not know they have the disease.
Types of Diabetes
There are two main forms of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. In people with type I diabetes, the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, so the body cannot make any insulin. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed during childhood or young adulthood, but it can appear at any age. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin shots every day.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t make enough insulin or does not use the hormone well. It can develop at any age but is diagnosed most often in middle-aged and older individuals. This type of diabetes is the more common form of the disease and accounts for 90-95% of the cases.
A third type of diabetes called gestational diabetes develops in women when they are pregnant and goes away after the baby is born. Women who have gestational diabetes are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Medications for Diabetes
Treatment for type 1 diabetes consists of insulin injections, regular blood glucose checks, and monitoring carbohydrate intake. (Carbohydrates raise blood sugar levels more than food groups). Treatment for type 2 diabetes may consist of lifestyle modifications and blood sugar monitoring in the early stages. In the later stages, type 2 diabetes is treated with oral medications, insulin injections, or both.
Oral Medications for Diabetes
Sulfonylureas like tolbutamide (Orinase), glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), and glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase) work by increasing insulin secretion from the pancreas. Some of these medications like tolbutamide need to be taken 2-3 times daily, while others like glimepiride need to be taken only once daily.
Glinides like repaglinide (Prandin) and nateglinide (Starlix) have a similar mechanism of action as sulfonylureas but a shorter duration of action of only 2-4 hours. They are, therefore, taken within 15-30 minutes of a meal.
Biguanides like metformin (Glucophage) work by decreasing both the release of glucose from the liver and the absorption of glucose from the intestines. These medications are dosed once daily and taken with meals.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors like acarbose (Precose) delay the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. These medications are taken with the first bite of food.
Thiazolidinediones like pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia) decrease insulin resistance in the muscle and fat tissues. (Insulin resistance is when the cells in a tissue don’t respond well to insulin).
GLP-1 analogs like exenatide (Byetta) and liraglutide (Victoza) work by increasing insulin secretion, reducing glucose release from the liver after meals, and delaying food emptying from the stomach to promote a feeling of satiety and reduce carbohydrate intake.
DPP-4 inhibitors like sitagliptin (Januvia), linagliptin (Tradjenta), and saxagliptin (Onglyza) work by increasing insulin secretion and reducing the release of glucose from the liver after meals.
Combination oral pills for diabetes include Kazano (alogliptin plus metformin), Oseni (alogliptin plus pioglitazone), and Glucovance (glyburide plus metformin), among others.
Insulin for Diabetes Treatment
Three main types of insulin are used to treat diabetes:
- Fast-acting insulin (Lyspro, Aspart, Apidra) is absorbed quickly and is used to control blood glucose during meals and snacks.
- Intermediate-acting insulin (NPH) has a longer-lasting effect and is used to control blood glucose levels overnight, between meals, and during fasting.
- Long-acting insulin (Detemir, Glargine) has an effect after 1.5-2 hours and lasts for 12-24 hours.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Diabetes
Some herbal supplements, such as cinnamon, aloe vera, probiotics, vitamin D, berberine, gymnema, and others have the potential to impact blood glucose levels. These supplements should be used with caution, however, as a method of lowering blood sugar because of potential drug interactions. It is advisable to always talk to a healthcare provider before taking any supplements that claim to lower blood sugar.
Common Side Effects of Diabetes Medications
Side effects of sulfonylureas include weight gain and low blood sugar. Glinides can also cause hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).
Common side effects of biguanides include nausea, upset stomach, and a metallic taste in the mouth. Biguanides like metformin cannot be used in people with kidney or liver problems or those who drink alcohol excessively.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors can cause flatulence as a side effect.
Thiazolidinediones can cause side effects like anemia, fluid retention, swelling, weight gain, macular edema (fluid in the eye), and fractures due to bone loss in women. These medications may cause or worsen heart failure and increase the risk of heart problems like angina or heart attack. They, therefore, cannot be prescribed to patients who have severe heart failure or liver problems. Patients taking this class of drugs require monitoring of liver function.
Potential side effects of GLP-1 analogs can include nausea, headache, low blood sugar, and mild weight loss.
Side effects of DPP-4 inhibitors include sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, headache, allergic reactions, and rarely, pancreatitis.
Common Questions
I have diabetes type 2. Are my children at risk?
Type 2 diabetes has a hereditary component. If one identical twin has diabetes, there’s a 75% chance the other one will develop it too. The risk of developing diabetes is higher when multiple family members have it. However, the risk of diabetes can be reduced with lifestyle modifications. The development of diabetes can be delayed or prevented by maintaining a healthy body weight and exercising regularly.
I am taking insulin injections for type 2 diabetes? Will I have to take them forever?
Not necessarily. If you change your diet, increase physical activity, and lose weight, it may be possible to reduce or stop insulin therapy and manage your diabetes with oral medications.
Can I get a discount on diabetes medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including oral diabetes medications and insulin preparations—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
1. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371451#
3. https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type2/treatment-of-type-2-diabetes/medications-and-therapies/type-2-non-insulin-therapies/table-of-medications/
4. https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type2/treatment-of-type-2-diabetes/medications-and-therapies/type-2-insulin-rx/types-of-insulin/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29224633/
6. https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type2/understanding-type-2-diabetes/type-2-diabetes-faqs/
Common Diabetes Health Medications
Diabetes
Get the latest information on common prescription and over-the-counter diabetes drugs.
Diabetes is a medical condition in which the blood glucose (sugar) level is too high. Glucose is obtained from the food we eat and is the main energy source for the body. A hormone called insulin, which is made in the pancreas, controls blood glucose levels. Insulin helps the glucose go from the blood to the cells and get used for energy. When the body doesn’t make enough insulin or makes no insulin at all, the glucose stays in the blood and cannot reach the cells. The high levels of sugar in the blood can cause various serious health problems over time. An estimated 30 million Americans have diabetes. More worrisome, however, is the fact that 1 out of 4 people with diabetes do not know they have the disease.
Types of Diabetes
There are two main forms of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. In people with type I diabetes, the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, so the body cannot make any insulin. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed during childhood or young adulthood, but it can appear at any age. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin shots every day.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t make enough insulin or does not use the hormone well. It can develop at any age but is diagnosed most often in middle-aged and older individuals. This type of diabetes is the more common form of the disease and accounts for 90-95% of the cases.
A third type of diabetes called gestational diabetes develops in women when they are pregnant and goes away after the baby is born. Women who have gestational diabetes are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Medications for Diabetes
Treatment for type 1 diabetes consists of insulin injections, regular blood glucose checks, and monitoring carbohydrate intake. (Carbohydrates raise blood sugar levels more than food groups). Treatment for type 2 diabetes may consist of lifestyle modifications and blood sugar monitoring in the early stages. In the later stages, type 2 diabetes is treated with oral medications, insulin injections, or both.
Oral Medications for Diabetes
Sulfonylureas like tolbutamide (Orinase), glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), and glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase) work by increasing insulin secretion from the pancreas. Some of these medications like tolbutamide need to be taken 2-3 times daily, while others like glimepiride need to be taken only once daily.
Glinides like repaglinide (Prandin) and nateglinide (Starlix) have a similar mechanism of action as sulfonylureas but a shorter duration of action of only 2-4 hours. They are, therefore, taken within 15-30 minutes of a meal.
Biguanides like metformin (Glucophage) work by decreasing both the release of glucose from the liver and the absorption of glucose from the intestines. These medications are dosed once daily and taken with meals.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors like acarbose (Precose) delay the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates. These medications are taken with the first bite of food.
Thiazolidinediones like pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia) decrease insulin resistance in the muscle and fat tissues. (Insulin resistance is when the cells in a tissue don’t respond well to insulin).
GLP-1 analogs like exenatide (Byetta) and liraglutide (Victoza) work by increasing insulin secretion, reducing glucose release from the liver after meals, and delaying food emptying from the stomach to promote a feeling of satiety and reduce carbohydrate intake.
DPP-4 inhibitors like sitagliptin (Januvia), linagliptin (Tradjenta), and saxagliptin (Onglyza) work by increasing insulin secretion and reducing the release of glucose from the liver after meals.
Combination oral pills for diabetes include Kazano (alogliptin plus metformin), Oseni (alogliptin plus pioglitazone), and Glucovance (glyburide plus metformin), among others.
Insulin for Diabetes Treatment
Three main types of insulin are used to treat diabetes:
- Fast-acting insulin (Lyspro, Aspart, Apidra) is absorbed quickly and is used to control blood glucose during meals and snacks.
- Intermediate-acting insulin (NPH) has a longer-lasting effect and is used to control blood glucose levels overnight, between meals, and during fasting.
- Long-acting insulin (Detemir, Glargine) has an effect after 1.5-2 hours and lasts for 12-24 hours.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Diabetes
Some herbal supplements, such as cinnamon, aloe vera, probiotics, vitamin D, berberine, gymnema, and others have the potential to impact blood glucose levels. These supplements should be used with caution, however, as a method of lowering blood sugar because of potential drug interactions. It is advisable to always talk to a healthcare provider before taking any supplements that claim to lower blood sugar.
Common Side Effects of Diabetes Medications
Side effects of sulfonylureas include weight gain and low blood sugar. Glinides can also cause hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).
Common side effects of biguanides include nausea, upset stomach, and a metallic taste in the mouth. Biguanides like metformin cannot be used in people with kidney or liver problems or those who drink alcohol excessively.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors can cause flatulence as a side effect.
Thiazolidinediones can cause side effects like anemia, fluid retention, swelling, weight gain, macular edema (fluid in the eye), and fractures due to bone loss in women. These medications may cause or worsen heart failure and increase the risk of heart problems like angina or heart attack. They, therefore, cannot be prescribed to patients who have severe heart failure or liver problems. Patients taking this class of drugs require monitoring of liver function.
Potential side effects of GLP-1 analogs can include nausea, headache, low blood sugar, and mild weight loss.
Side effects of DPP-4 inhibitors include sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, headache, allergic reactions, and rarely, pancreatitis.
Common Questions
I have diabetes type 2. Are my children at risk?
Type 2 diabetes has a hereditary component. If one identical twin has diabetes, there’s a 75% chance the other one will develop it too. The risk of developing diabetes is higher when multiple family members have it. However, the risk of diabetes can be reduced with lifestyle modifications. The development of diabetes can be delayed or prevented by maintaining a healthy body weight and exercising regularly.
I am taking insulin injections for type 2 diabetes? Will I have to take them forever?
Not necessarily. If you change your diet, increase physical activity, and lose weight, it may be possible to reduce or stop insulin therapy and manage your diabetes with oral medications.
Can I get a discount on diabetes medications with BuzzRx?
Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including oral diabetes medications and insulin preparations—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.
References:
1. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371451#
3. https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type2/treatment-of-type-2-diabetes/medications-and-therapies/type-2-non-insulin-therapies/table-of-medications/
4. https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type2/treatment-of-type-2-diabetes/medications-and-therapies/type-2-insulin-rx/types-of-insulin/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29224633/
6. https://dtc.ucsf.edu/types-of-diabetes/type2/understanding-type-2-diabetes/type-2-diabetes-faqs/
Common Diabetes Health Medications
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