| |
Much
progress has been made in the last 5 years in the development
of new drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Below
is a chart of the “diabetes pills” currently
on the market. Remember to always take your medications
as prescribed by your physician. Never make a change in
your medications without first consulting with your physician.
| Class |
Name
of Med |
Action |
Possible
Side Effects |
| SULFONYLUREAS |
Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL (glipizide)
Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase (glyburide),
Amaryl (glimepiride)
|
Helps your body (your pancreas) send out more of its own insulin. |
Gastrointestinal problems, low blood sugar reaction, alcohol intolerance, skin reaction, sun sensitivity, weight gain, allergy to sulfa |
| BIGUANIDES |
Glucophage (metformin)
Glucophage XR
Fortamet
Riomet (liquid form) |
Decreases the liver’s glucose production; enhances the absorption of glucose in other parts of the body.
|
Nausea, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, loss of appetite
(Minimize side effects by taking with food)
May interact with IV contrast dye used with medical testing
Caution with alcohol intake
|
| ALPHA-GLUCOSIDASE
INHIBITORS |
Precose (acarbose)
Glyset (miglitol) |
Decreases the liver’s glucose production; enhances the absorption of glucose in other parts of the body.
|
Nausea, bloating, cramping, diarrhea, loss of appetite
(Minimize side effects by taking with food)
May interact with IV contrast dye used with medical testing
Caution with alcohol intake |
| THIAZOLIDINEDIONES |
Actos (pioglitazone)
Avandia (rosiglitazone) |
Helps the body to use insulin more effectively, especially in the muscle cells. |
Upper respiratory tract infections, headache, sinus infection, sore throat, muscle pain, tooth disorders, dizziness, swelling
|
| MEGLITINIDES |
Prandin (repaglinide)
Starlix (nareglinide) |
Helps your body (your pancreas) send out more of its own insulin. These work very quickly and are meant to be taken just before meals.
|
Low blood sugar reaction, headache, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, back pain, joint pain, weight gain, nasal and sinus inflammation
|
|
|
|
