- Lifestyle and diet changes
- Exercise
- Medicines
How do these diabetes medications actually work?
Simply put, the main goal of all these medications is to lower your blood sugar, or blood glucose, to a healthy level. This also helps control your A1c. The main cause of Type 2 diabetes (and gestational diabetes) is a condition called insulin resistance . This is when your body's cells (your muscles, fat, and liver cells) don't respond properly to the hormone insulin. Insulin is made by your pancreas. It's what turns the sugar (glucose) we eat into energy. It's a process that's essential for us to survive. So, when you have insulin resistance, your pancreas has to produce more insulin to control your blood sugar levels. However, when your pancreas can't produce enough insulin, your blood sugar levels rise. This is what we call high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). If this continues, it can cause a variety of health problems. Insulin resistance is a bit complicated. Diabetes medications work in different ways to lower your blood sugar. Some medications help your pancreas produce more insulin. In addition to medications, exercise is also very important to naturally reduce insulin resistance.What are the oral medications for diabetes?
There are several types of medications that help control diabetes, and they work in different ways. Let's take a look at what they are:| Drug category | How it works | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors | Controls the breakdown of carbohydrates and sugar in the intestines. | `Acarbose`, `Miglitol` |
| Biguanides | Reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver, increases insulin sensitivity. | `Metformin` |
| Bile acid sequestrants | While lowering cholesterol, it also lowers blood sugar levels. | `Colesevelam` |
| Dopamine-2 agonists | Influences the brain to reduce insulin resistance. | `Bromocriptine` |
| DPP-4 inhibitors (Gliptins) | The GLP-1 hormone keeps blood sugar in check by keeping it active. | Alogliptin, Linagliptin, Saxagliptin, Sitagliptin |
| Meglitinides (Glinides) | Stimulates the pancreas and causes it to release insulin. | `Nateglinide`, `Repaglinide` |
| SGLT2 inhibitors | Extra glucose is excreted in the urine. | ``Canagliflozin'', ``Dapagliflozin'', ``Empagliflozin'' |
| Sulfonylureas | Stimulates the pancreas and causes it to release more insulin. | ``Glimepiride'', ``Glipizide'', ``Glyburide'' |
| Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) | Makes tissues more sensitive to insulin. | ``Rosiglitazone'', ``Pioglitazone'' |
What are the side effects of diabetes medications?
Like all medications, diabetes medications can have side effects. Each medication can cause different problems. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea, constipation, bloating). The most important thing is to tell your doctor about any side effects.Risk of hypoglycemia
Some diabetes medications, especially those called `Meglitinides` and `Sulfonylureas`, can cause your blood sugar levels to drop suddenly (hypoglycemia). This is when your blood sugar drops below 70 mg/dL. This is a serious condition.Symptoms of hypoglycemia: shakiness, sweating, dizziness, extreme hunger, restlessness, and rapid heartbeat. If these symptoms occur, eat something with sugar or carbohydrates immediately.
Things to discuss with your doctor
- Pregnancy : If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is essential to discuss your medications with your doctor. Most oral medications, except for Metformin , are not recommended during pregnancy .
- Other medications: Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins , and supplements you are taking.
- Side effects: Tell your doctor about any side effects you experience.
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