In May 2020, the FDA told manufacturers of metformin extended release to recall their pills from the shelves of US market stores for the reason that they’re high in carcinogen. If you’re on this drug, it’s advisable to call your doctor. They will tell you if you need a new kind of medicine.
Diabetes is a disease characterized by high levels of blood sugar in the body.
Your body stops making or using insulin, the substance that facilitates the conversion of sugar into energy.
There’s type 1 and type 2. People of both types need medication to manage their blood sugar levels in a normal range.
The medicine needed is dependent on the kind of diabetes you have. This article will give you information on your treatment options.
Insulin - the most familiar diabetic drug in the world. Used in type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes means your body can’t produce its own insulin anymore. Insulin injections will replace the insulin that your body can’t produce.
People with type 2 diabetes also use insulin. The kind of insulin you will need depends on the severity of your insulin depletion.
Your options are: short-acting insulin like Humulin and Novolin, rapid acting insulins like NovoLog, FlexPen, Fiasp, Apidra, and Humalog, intermediate-acting insulin like Humulin N and Novolin N, and long-acting insulins like Tresiba, Levemir, Lantus, and Toujeo.
There are also amylinomimetic drugs like Pramlintide, which is injected before meals. It delays the time your stomach will empty itself. It reduces glucagon secretion after your meals, and it also lowers your blood sugar and reduces your appetite.
Type 2 diabetes means your body can’t use the insulin it produces well anymore. It can’t make enough insulin to maintain your blood sugar levels in a normal range. The treatment goal is to use the insulin medications to remove extra sugar in your blood.
Most of the drugs used are oral drugs and some are injections.
You have alpha-glucosidase inhibitors which help you break down starchy foods and sugar. This will lower your blood sugar levels.
Take these before meals. Examples are Precose and Glyset.
You also have biguanides, which decrease the amount of sugar your liver makes. These decrease the amount of sugar your intestines will absorb, and make your body sensitive to insulin, and assist your muscles in glucose absorption.
The common type is metformin or Glucophage, Fortament, Riomet, Glumetza, Metformin Hydrochloride ER.
You also have your dopamine agonists which aims to prevent body rhythms and insulin resistance.
There’s also dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors which assist the body in making insulin. These reduce your blood sugar without triggering hypoglycemia.
Drugs like Nesina, Kazano, Oseni, Tradjenta, Glyxambi, Jentadueto, Onglyza, Januvia, and Juvisync help the pancreas make insulin.
There’s also glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists. These are similar to the hormone incretin. They increase the growth of B-cells and the amount of insulin your body uses. They will decrease your appetite and the glucagon your body uses.
Slowing stomach emptying is important for people with diabetes. Examples of these drugs are Tanzeum, Trulicity, Byetta, Bydureon, Victoza, and Ozempic.
We also have meglitinides which help our bodies release insulin. In some cases, however, they lower blood sugar extremely making it a drug not for everyone. These include Starlix, Prandin, and Prandimet.
Other drugs for type-2 diabetes are sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, aspirin, drugs for high cholesterol, and high blood pressure medications.
It’s Important To Communicate With Your Doctor
Self-diagnosing is harmful for diabetics. It’s best to consult with your doctor if you want to try different medications. Different medications have their ways to control blood sugar. Ask your doctor what the best diabetes drug is for you. Your doctor will give you a prescription based on your diabetes type and your health.
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