Some people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood glucose with changes to their diet and physical activity. However, many people need medications to keep their blood glucose in the target range.
When sick, you still need to continue to take medicine for your diabetes. Even if you are throwing up, don't stop your medicines. You need them because your body makes more glucose when you are sick.
If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be able to take your pills, or you may need to use insulin for a short time. Check with your care team to develop your sick-day plan.
When sick, you still need to continue to take medicine for your diabetes. Even if you are throwing up, don't stop your medicines. You need them because your body makes more glucose when you are sick.
If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be able to take your pills, or you may need to use insulin for a short time. Check with your care team to develop your sick-day plan.
There are several classes of diabetes pills in the market, as well as combination pills.
They lower blood glucose by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates after meals. They are taken with the first bite of each meal.
Advantages of Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors:
Include only one medication - Metformin. They lower blood glucose by stopping the liver's release of stored glucose. Metformin may lower insulin resistance in the muscles. It is usually taken twice a day, although extended-release Metformin is taken once a day.
Advantages of Metformin:
They increase insulin secretion and decrease the liver's release of glucose. They are taken once a day.
Advantages of DDP-4 inhibitors:
They lower blood glucose by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin. They may be helpful for people who have high blood glucose immediately after a meal. They are taken before each of the three meals.
They lower blood glucose levels by stimulating the pancreas to produce and release more insulin. Generally, people take sulfonylureas once or twice a day before meals.
They lower blood glucose by lowering insulin resistance in the muscles and liver and reduce the liver's production of glucose. They are taken once or twice a day.
Advantages of TZDs:
They can be more effective than a single medication and more convenient than taking three or four pills. Talk to your doctor about advantages, disadvantages, and side effects of combination pills.
Examples:
This information is a summary from the "Complete Guide to Diabetes" and is provided with the permission of the American Diabetes Association.
It is a comprehensive book and recommended by the American Diabetes Association for those people that want to learn more about diabetes.
Click on the image to go to the American Diabetes Association bookstore.
Note: Care4life has no commercial interest in any of the books or resources it recommends.