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Diabetes

MEDICATIONS

Preventing Diabetes From Occurring

A number of studies have shown that regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It also appears to be associated with obesity. Researchers are making progress in identifying the exact genetics and "triggers" that predispose some individuals to develop type 1 diabetes, but prevention, as well as a cure, remains elusive.

Testing for Diabetes During Pregnancy

The expert panel also suggested a change in the testing for diabetes during pregnancy, stating that women at low risk for gestational diabetes do not need to be tested. This group includes women who are:
Younger than 25 years of age.
At normal body weight.
Without family history of diabetes.
Not members of a high-risk ethnic group.
All women who do not fall into the low-risk category should continue to be tested for gestational diabetes during the 24th to 28th weeks of pregnancy.
How to prevent pre-diabetes?

Pre-diabetes is a serious medical condition that can be treated. The good news is that the recently completed Diabetes Prevention Program study by the American Diabetes Association conclusively showed that people with pre-diabetes can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes by making changes in their diet and increasing their level of physical activity.

Might I take more than one diabetes medicine at a time?

Yes. Your doctor may ask you to take more than one diabetes medicine at a time. Some diabetes medicines that lower blood glucose work well together.

How do I know if my diabetes medicines are working?

Learn to test your blood glucose. Ask your doctor or diabetes teacher about the best testing tools for you and how often to test. After you test your blood glucose, write down your blood glucose test results. Then ask your doctor or diabetes teacher if your diabetes medicines are working. A good blood glucose reading before meals is between 70 and 140 mg/dL.

Ask your doctor or diabetes teacher about how low or how high your blood glucose should get before you take action. For many people, blood glucose is too low below 70 mg/dL and too high above 240 mg/dL.

One other number to know is the result of a blood test your doctor does called the A1C. It shows your blood glucose control during the past 2 to 3 months. For most people, the target for A1C is less than 7 percent.

Two Kinds of Diabetes Pills

If one type of pill alone does not control your blood glucose, then your doctor might ask you to take two kinds of pills. You may take two separate pills or one pill that combines two medicines. Each type of pill has its own way of acting to lower blood glucose. Here are pills used together:
sulfonylurea and metformin
sulfonylurea and acarbose
metformin and acarbose
repaglinide and metformin
nateglinide and metformin
pioglitazone and a sulfonylurea
pioglitazone and metformin .
rosiglitazone and metformin
rosiglitazone and a sulfonylurea

What do I need to know about diabetes pills?

Many types of diabetes pills can help people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood glucose. Each type of pill helps lower blood glucose in a different way. The diabetes pill (or pills) you take is from one of these groups. You might know your pill (or pills) by a different name.
Sulfonylureas (SUL-fah-nil-YOO-ree-ahs) stimulate your pancreas to make more insulin.
Biguanides (by-GWAN-ides) decrease the amount of glucose made by your liver.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AL-fa gloo-KOS-ih-dayss in-HIB-it-ers) slow the absorption of the starches you eat.
Thiazolidinediones (THIGH-ah-ZO-li-deen-DYE-owns) make you more sensitive to insulin.
Meglitinides (meh-GLIT-in-ides) stimulate your pancreas to make more insulin.
D-phenylalanine (dee-fen-nel-AL-ah-neen) derivatives help your pancreas make more insulin quickly.
Combination oral medicines put together different kinds of pills.
Your doctor might prescribe one pill. If the pill does not lower your blood glucose, your doctor may
ask you to take more of the same pills, or
add a new pill or insulin, or
ask you to change to another pill or insulin.
What are side effects?
Side effects are changes that may happen in your body when you take a medicine. When your doctor gives you a new medicine, ask what the side effects might be.
Some side effects happen just when you start to take the medicine. Then they go away.
Some side effects happen only once in a while. You may get used to them or learn how to manage them.
Some side effects will cause you to stop taking the medicine. Your doctor may try another one that doesn't cause you side effects.

Oral Medication

Why do I need medicines for type 2 diabetes?

If you have type 2 diabetes, your pancreas usually makes plenty of insulin. But your body cannot correctly use the insulin you make. You might get this type of diabetes if members of your family have or had diabetes. You might also get type 2 diabetes if you weigh too much or do not exercise enough.
After you have had type 2 diabetes for a few years, your body may stop making enough insulin. Then you will need to take diabetes pills or insulin.

You need to know

Diabetes medicines that lower blood glucose never take the place of healthy eating and exercise.
If your blood glucose gets too low more than a few times in a few days, call your doctor.
Take your diabetes pills or insulin even if you are sick. If you cannot eat much, call your doctor.

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