Alternate Medications Other Than Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes
As of 2006 diabetes was the seventh cause of death in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Society 1. By 2007 the medical costs of diagnosed diabetes exceeded $100 billion. Medication is a major factor in treating diabetes 2. Metformin is often the drug prescribed to newly diagnosed diabetics, notes FamilyDoctor.org. However there are other medications that be used in addition to metformin.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are a form of oral diabetes medication that target the digestive system. These drugs decrease the absorption of blood sugar by the stomach and intestines, explains FamilyDoctor.org. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors may cause abdominal pain, loose bowel movement, or bloatedness.
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 Inhibitors
Medications to Avoid After Gastric Bypass
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Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, or DPP-4 inhibitors, are oral medicines that aid the body in producing insulin after meals. DPP-4 inhibitors accomplish this by preventing the destruction of a biochemical called GLP-1. This biochemical helps reduce blood sugar levels, according to the American Diabetes Association 1.
- Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, or DPP-4 inhibitors, are oral medicines that aid the body in producing insulin after meals.
- DPP-4 inhibitors accomplish this by preventing the destruction of a biochemical called GLP-1.
Incretin Mimetics
Exenatide is an incretin mimetic. Incretin mimetics are injectable diabetic medications that typically lower blood sugar by stimulating insulin release. Incretin mimetics can cause nausea and possibly hypoglycemia, explains the American Diabetes Association 1.
Insulin
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Insulin is a biochemical that is normally produced by the pancreas, and utilized to regulate blood sugar levels, according to the American Diabetes Association 1. However diabetes either prevents the body from producing insulin, or renders the body unable to utilize the insulin produced. As such, it is necessary for some diabetics to use artificial insulin. However because insulin breaks down upon contact with digestive juices insulin must injected directly into the bloodstream.
- Insulin is a biochemical that is normally produced by the pancreas, and utilized to regulate blood sugar levels, according to the American Diabetes Association 1.
- However diabetes either prevents the body from producing insulin, or renders the body unable to utilize the insulin produced.
Meglitinides
Meglitinides such as repaglinide and nateglinide are oral diabetes medicined that help stimulate insulin production in the pancreas, notes FamilyDoctor.org 2. However meglitinides can cause hypoglycemia and should not be taken with alcohol, explains the American Diabetes Association 1.
Pramlintide
Pramlintide is an artificial version of amylin. Amylin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, and also helps regulate blood sugar, explains the American Diabetes Association 1. This diabetes medication must be injected. Pramlintide can initially cause nausea, but this side effect tends to fade in time.
- Pramlintide is an artificial version of amylin.
- Amylin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, and also helps regulate blood sugar, explains the American Diabetes Association 1.
Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureas are oral medications commonly used in treating diabetes, notes FamilyDoctor.org 2. However sulfonylureas may cause weight gain, as well as lower sodium levels in the body. Sulfonylureas are typically taken once or twice a day just prior to eating, according to the American Diabetes Association 1.
Thiazolidinediones
Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone belong to the thiazolidinediones class of oral diabetes medication, notes FamilyDoctor.org 2. Thiazolidinediones typically target muscle and fat. Thiazolidinediones also reduce blood sugar production in the liver.
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References
- American Diabetes Association: Insulin
- FamilyDoctor: Oral Medicines for Diabetes
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes and pregnancy: Gestational diabetes.
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- Bryan Bledsoe, DO, FACEP, FAAEM, EMT-P. Journal of Emergency Medical Service. What's the difference between diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus.
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- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Prediabetes - your chance to prevent diabetes. Updated June 11, 2020.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 2 diabetes. Updated: May 30, 2019.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes during pregnancy. Updated: June 12, 2018.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diabetes and pregnancy: Gestational diabetes.
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- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Monogenic diabetes (neonatal diabetes mellitus & MODY). Updated November, 2017.
- Lemelman MB, Letourneau L, Greeley SAW. Neonatal diabetes mellitus: An update on diagnosis and management. Clin Perinatol. 2018;45(1):41-59. doi:10.1016/j.clp.2017.10.006
- American Diabetes Association. Complications.
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- American Diabetes Association. Eye exams for people with diabetes.
- Powers, MA. et. al. Diabetes self-management education and support in type 2 diabetes: A joint position statement of the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Diabetes Care. 2015;38 (7) 1372-1382; doi:10.2337/dc15-0730
- Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists. How a diabetes care and education specialist can help you.
- Bluml, BM, Kolb, L, Lipman, R. Evaluating the impact of year-long, augmented diabetes self-Management support. Popul Health Manag. 2019;22(6):522-528 doi:10.1089/pop.2018.0175
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Joseph Pritchard graduated from Our Lady of Fatima Medical School with a medical degree. He has spent almost a decade studying humanity. Dr. Pritchard writes as a San Francisco biology expert for a prominent website and thoroughly enjoys sharing the knowledge he has accumulated.