Six Types of Antidiabetic Medications
Antidiabetic medications are drugs that are intended to controlthe levels of glucose in blood. These medications are also known as hypoglycemic agents. Most of these medications are taken orally excepting such medications as Insulin, Pramlintide, and Exenatide.
There are six groups of diabetic medications. The choice of the medication depends on such factors as the type of the diabetes, the severity of the condition and the age of the patient.
These six groups of diabetic medications include the following:
-Sulfonylureas. These antidiabetes medications were the first widely used drugs for management of this condition. These medications work by increasing the insulin levels. This type of drug is indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. These medicines are not indicated for the treatment of diabetes type I or in women suffering from diabetes pregnancy. The main side effect of these medications is hypoglycemia.
– Insulin is the hormone that regulates and controls the glucose in the blood. Insulin can be used in treatment of the diabetes of I and II types.
-Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors is another type of antidiabetic medications. These medications don’t have a direct effect on the insulin secretion, but they reduce the process of conversion of disaccharide and complex carbohydrates which makes the glucose get into the blood more slowly.
Medications of this type can be very effective when taken on its own but only at the initial stage of impaired glucose tolerance. Very often diabetes medications of this group are used together with other antidiabetic medicines from.
– Biguanides. So far there is only one medication in this group which is called Metformin. As a rule children and teenagers suffering from type 2 diabetes are prescribed this medication to treat this condition. Biguanides can be used in combinations with antidiabetic medications that belong to sulfonylurea group.
-Meglitinides. Two diabetic medications fall under this group:
-Repaglinide (Prandin). Usually Repaglinide is administered 30 minutes before having food as this medication promotes the insulin response for each meal. In case you skip a meal, it is recommended to skip taking the medication as well.
-Nateglinide (Starlix). Recommendation regarding the use of this medication is the same as with Repaglinide medication, the difference is only in the recommended dosages.
Meglitinides can be used alone as well as in combination with some other antidiabetic medications such as Metformin. One should know that Meglitinides can not be used with other medications for diabetes that work by enhancing the insulin secretion. The side effects of these medications are weight gain and hypoglycemia.
-Thiazolidinediones, which are also known as glitazones, treat diabetes by lowering the glucose in the liver. These medications can be used along with medications of the biguanide group or sulfonylurea group.
What concerns the required dose of any diabetes medicines, it depends on the condition of the patient. It is chosen according to the patient’s blood glucose level.
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Antidiabetic
Antidiabetic medications are drugs that are intended to controlthe levels of glucose in blood. These medications are also known as hypoglycemic agents. Most of these medications are taken orally excepting such medications as Insulin, Pramlintide, and Exenatide. There are six groups of diabetic medications. The choice of the medication depends on such factors as the type of the diabetes, the severity of the condition and the age of the patient. These six groups of diabetic medications include the following: -Sulfonylureas. … Continue reading →
Glyset is used for treating type 2 diabetes in adults whose diabetes cannot be managed with diet alone. Glyset (Miglitol) may be used alone, in combination with other oral diabetes medicines, or with insulin. Glyset is a glucosidase inhibitor. It works by slowing down the enzyme that turns carbohydrates into glucose. This decreases blood sugar levels after a meal. Glyset is a medicine applied for curing diabetes problems and different diabetic disorders. Thus Glyset is used to cure type 2 … Continue reading →
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