Type 2 Diabetes

Do you suffer from type 2 diabetes? Unfortunately, this medical condition will probably follow you through your entire life.

While it is possible to eliminate the condition, many people will be forced to deal with the symptoms each and every day. The good news is that there are various medications that can prove to be helpful.

By taking the appropriate medications and improving your overall lifestyle, you can actually eliminate type 2 diabetes and maintain the highest quality of life as possible. Within this guide, you will discover a breakdown of better type 2 diabetes medications.

Sulfonylurea

If you’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, there is a good chance that your doctor will recommend that you take sulfonylureas. This is actually a category of compounds utilized in agriculture and medicine.

These antidiabetic drugs are commonly used to help the patient manage the symptoms associated with diabetes mellitus type 2.

These drugs are capable of increasing the quantity of insulin produced by the beta cells found in the pancreas. In return, the insulin will cause a reaction in the body that leads to a decrease in blood sugar levels.

These drugs are available in various brand names, including Diabinese, Amaryl, DiaBeta, and Glucotrol. Sulfonylureas are actually newer drug types that are based on sulfonamide.

When Are Sulfonylurea Medicines Used?

These drugs are primarily prescribed to patients suffering from type 2 diabetes. They’re often given to patients that have been unable to maintain safe blood sugar levels through dieting and exercising alone.

The medications are also ideal for patients that cannot produce enough insulin naturally, as well as those with a resistance to the insulin produced by the body.

Sulfonylureas are given to children and young adults suffering from obesity and type 2 diabetes. They’re designed to help control the body’s blood sugar levels.

Potential Side Effects Of Sulfonylureas

When it comes down to it, sulfonylureas are generally very safe. Nevertheless, these drugs can result in several side effects. The mass majority of patients will not feel the side effects and most will dissipate with repeated use.

If the side effects have become overwhelming or startling, it is a good idea to speak with your doctor. He or she may recommend that your dosage be lowered or they may opt to change the prescription all together.

The most common side effects include

  • Sweating
  • Dizziness
  • Hunge
  • Weight gain
  • Nervousness

If you begin suffering from difficulty breathing, swelling in the face or mouth, or hives, you should contact your doctor immediately!

DPP-4 Inhibitors

DPP-4 Inhibitors, which are also known as gliptins, are another type of medication utilized for the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2. Sitagliptin, which is the first medication in this class, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006.

Glucagon is responsible for increasing the body’s blood glucose levels. These medications are capable of reducing glucagon, while simultaneously decreasing blood glucose levels.

DPP-4 Inhibitors are available in various generic and brand name Type 2 diabetes medications. The most common include Nesina, Januvia, Onglyza, and Saxagliptin. In some cases, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are combined with other medicines to create a single drug. For instance, Oseni is actually a combination of pioglitazone and alogliptin.

When Are DPP-4 Inhibitors Used?

Some people suffer from type 2 diabetes, because their body doesn’t produce enough incretin. Incretin is responsible for telling the body to produce and release more insulin after consuming food. If you suffer from an incretin deficiency, you need a type 2 diabetes treatment that can help increase your body’s incretin production.

This is where DPP-4 Inhibitors enter the picture. These medicines are capable of increasing the lifespan of the incretin in the body. In return, this helps to ensure that the body releases insulin and that blood sugar levels are lowered. DPP-4 inhibitors just happen to be one of the most popular medications from Canadian insulin.

Possible Side Effects Of DPP-4 Inhibitors

DPP-4 inhibitors are safe, but they can still cause some negative side effects. The most common side effects associated with these medications include headaches, urinary tract infection and upper respiratory tract infection.

In some rare cases, these drugs can make it difficult to breath, while also causing swelling to the faces, throat, lips and tongue. If you notice any of these more severe side effects, you need to seek out emergency assistance immediately!

GLP-1 Agonists

GLP-1 agonists are medications utilized to treat Type II diabetes. The drugs work by replicating the actions of glucagon-like peptide, also known as GLP-1, a naturally occurring incretin compound.

GLP-1 compounds are excreted from the gut during digestion, at which they begin to affect the body, by lowering both glucagon and glucose levels.

While glucagon and GLP-1 produce different actions, they originate from proglucagon, a parent compound. Since GLP-1 compounds break down in the body in two minutes or less, they cannot be utilized as a diabetes drug.

However, scientists have been able to overcome this problem, by developing GLP-1 agonists that are broken down in the body in a slower manner.

How GLP-1 Agonists Work

Natural GLP-1 and GLP-1 agonists work by targeting specific organs to lower blood sugar levels.

Both of these work by slowing glucose absorption from the gut, triggering the pancreas to increase insulin secretion, suppresses receptors in the hypothalamus to decrease the appetite and increase first phase insulin and beta cell mass to release, so a higher quantity of insulin can reach the bloodstream and liver quicker.

GLP-1 agonists can be prescribed to patients who have been diagnosed with heart and liver conditions. It can also help people who suffer from morbid obesity lose weight.

Delaying Type II Diabetes

GLP-1 Agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, insulin and glitazones are capable of delaying the progression of Type II diabetes through the preservation of insulin production, lessening of insulin resistance and protection of beta cells.

By doing this, the medications can make it easier for diabetics to control their blood glucose levels and reduce the need for insulin.

These drugs work over a period of several years and are most often utilized in people who have been diagnosed with early Type II diabetes.

Common Side Effects Of GLP-1 Agonists

GLP-1 agonists are similar to other diabetes drugs, as they are known to cause side effects. The most common side effects linked to GLP-1 agonists include nausea, fullness and diarrhea.

The nausea typically dissipates after several weeks of the initial dose and does not appear to be linked to the dose size.

Less common side effects include poor appetite, headaches, acid reflux and increased sweating. Skin hives have also been linked to GLP-1 agonists, but only on rare occasions.

Necrotizing and hemorrhagic pancreatitis has also been linked to GLP-1 agonists. However, that side effect has only been noted in a few cases. Patients with a history of pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer should speak with their primary care physician prior to administering.

Meglitinides

Meglitinides or glinides are primarily utilized to treat type 2 diabetes. Medications within this specific category are available in several brand names, including Prandin, Starlix, and Glufast. Prandin was approved by the FDA in 1997.

These medications are designed to help stop the rapid increase of blood sugar levels after an individual with type 2 diabetes has eaten. These medicines are very popular, but they’re not necessary for all patients.

When Are Meglitinides Used?

These medications are primarily used by patients that cannot keep their blood sugar at the recommended levels. If you’ve increased your activity level and have begun following a healthy diet to no avail, Meglitinides are probably a good choice for you.

Meglitinides are very similar to sulfonylureas, but there is one minor difference. Patients frequently complain that sulfonylureas lead to increased weight gain. Meglitinides are a great alternative, since they cause less weight gain, but can still low blood sugar levels effectively.

Simultaneously, meglitinides should be used by patients that cannot eat at the same time each and every day. This is the case, because these compounds work rapidly and leave the body very quickly.

Common Side Effects Linked To Meglitinides

The most common side effects associated with Meglitinides are diarrhea, headache, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) and nausea. Other side effects include constipation, sinus inflammation, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, back and joint pain and skin rashes.

People taking Meglitinides should monitor their blood glucose regularly to avoid the risks of hypoglycemia.

What You Need To Know About Biguanides?

If you are currently struggling with type II diabetes, there is a good chance that you are taking some sort of medication to control it.

Well, what you may not know is that there are several different drugs available on the market other than insulin that can help manage type II diabetes.

In fact, there are nine different classifications of diabetic medication, and one of them is biguanides, also known as metformin.

However, if you are suffering from type I diabetes, you will be required to take insulin. Below, you will learn more information about metformin and how it can help control type II diabetes.

Understanding What Metformin Is

Metformin is truly unique, because it actually lowers blood sugar levels by decreasing the amount of glucose that is produced by the liver.

In addition to this, it is also designed to make your cells more sensitive to insulin, which classifies it as an insulin sensitizer. This is important because when your cells are more sensitive to insulin, it allows them to easily take more glucose from the blood and transfer it into consumable energy.

Another amazing thing about metformin is that it does not trigger the pancreas to create insulin, which means there is little to no risk of hypoglycemia developing while taking this medication.

Proper Dosage Of Metformin

A lot of individuals with type II diabetes prefer metformin, because it does not involve injections. In fact, metformin comes available in pill and liquid form. In addition to this, it is also available in a long-acting tablet, which extended the effects of the medication.

The regular and liquid form of metformin is usually taken one to three times a deal with a meal. The long-lasting version is typically taken once a day with your dinner.

Most doctors usually start users off with a dosage of anywhere from 500 to 1,000 milligrams and work up to 2,000 milligrams a day, which is usually the limit.

Are There Any Side Effects When Taking Metformin?

It is important to understand that everyone’s body reacts differently to certain medications, and it is possible that you may experience side effects that other do not while taking metformin.

That being said, metformin is a fairly safe medication, but there are some changes of side effects. Some of the side effects may include:

    • Stomach irritation
    • Gas and bloating
    • Diarrhea
    • Decreased appetite

 

    • Back pain

 

  • Heartburn

Most doctors usually start their patients off on a small dosage and work them up to a higher dosage, because it reduces the changes of these side effects occurring in the first place. Also, taking the food with a meal goes a long way to reducing side effect as well.

Understanding How Thiazolidinediones Are Used For Type II Diabetes

Thiazolidinediones is another form of medication that can be used to control type II diabetes, and it is commonly referred to as TZDs.

TZDs almost work in the same manner as Biguanides, as they decrease your resistance to insulin. So, while taking this medication your cells will be more sensitive to insulin. Whether it is insulin that is created by the body or insulin that is injected, your body will be more sensitive to it.

How Are TZDs Taken And The Side Effects?

TZDs come in the form of tablets and they are usually taken twice daily. Most of the time there are very few side effects that come along with taking this medication.

However, if you are suffering from heart failure it is highly likely that the medication might cause you to develop fluid retention or edema.

This basically means that your ankles will swell up, and you may find yourself short of breath as a result. If this occurs it is important to stop taking the medication and seek other treatments with your doctor.