Welcome to More Diabetes
American Diabetes Association Hawaii Article
For a permanent link to this article, or to bookmark it for further reading, click here.
Diabetic medication
When one is afflicted with diabetes, there are many different types of medications that can be used to help control the problem. While there is no cure for diabetes, there are five different classes of types of drugs that can help to contain the problem. Sulfonylureas, biguanides, Aplha-Glucosidase Inhibitors, Meglitinides, and Thiazolidinediones are all different categories of medicine that are sold to help people with diabetes cope with their problem.
The first of these groups are the Sulfonylurea drugs. Designed to help stimulate the pancreas, Sulfonylureas attempt to kick-start insulin production in a diabetic person. Medications that fall under this category are marketed under the following brand names: Diabinese, Tolinase, Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase Pres, Tab, Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL, and Amaryl. All of these medications are known to sometimes cause lows. They are all designed to be taken with a meal, except for the Glucotrol products which are to be taken 30 minutes before eating a meal. The second and third generation drugs, which include all of the above brands except for Diabinese and Tolinase are the recommended treatments when it comes to sulfonylureas.
Another group of medications designed to help with diabetes are known as biguanides. The main type of biguanide treatment available is the compound Metfornin, which is marketed under the brand name Glucophage. Biguanides are used to slow the liver's glucose production down if it is over-active. If you have liver problems, renal problems, or a congestive heart, it is important not to use Glucophage.
Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors are a wordy type of medication that works to slow the absorption of carbohydrates as they pass through the intestine. The two most common medication compounds that are associated with Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors are Acarbose and Miglitol. These compounds are marketed under the brand names Precose and Glycet, respectively, and they are designed to be taken while taking the first bite of a meal. Side effects experienced by those who take these inhibitors include gastro-intestinal issues.
Another type of medication, Meglitinides may help certain people afflicted with diabetes. Sold under the brand name Prandin, the compound known as Repaglinide is one of the most commonly used Meglitinides. These also help to stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin, just as Sulfonylurea medications do. This treatment is to be taken before eating meals, and are known to sometimes cause lows.
Last, but not least, come Thiazolidinediones. The Rosiglitazone compound is sold under the name Avandia, and the Pioglitazone medication is offered as Actos. These medications are used to make the body more sensitive to insulin, a necessary function for those with diabetes. These pills must be taken at the exact same time every day, and they are known to reduce birth control pills effectiveness.
We've pretty much summed up every type of medication that can be taken for diabetes. Before beginning a medication regimen, it's important to speak to your health care professional about the possible effects these drugs can have on your health. Medications can counter-act each other and it is crucial to know exactly what a drug will do when combined with others that you may be taking.
American Diabetes Association Hawaii Specific links
Connect at Current.com
- Stay current! All the Latest News and Videos: Entertainment, Politics, Sex, Tech, and Music. See whats new at Current.com.
-- http://www.current.com/
A Mood Booster to Combat The Credit Crunch
- Forget about the credit crunch for a little while and be just mildly entertained for a few minutes...
-- http://www.kontraband.com/
Blinkx Video Search
- World's largest video search engine. Over 26 million hours of video.
-- http://www.blinkx.co.uk/
Looking For American Diabetes Association Hawaii?
- Information, Option, and Images for American Diabetes Association Hawaii.
-- http://www.best5online.co.uk/
American Diabetes Association Hawaii News
No relevant info was found on this topic.