Diabetic Medications

There are many diabetes medications available to control your blood sugar. Insulin is a medication used by Type 1 diabetics as well as some Type 2 diabetics to simulate insulin production that no longer occurs in their bodies. By utilizing the correct medication to control diabetes, you can live a long, fulfilling life of relatively normal health.

History

• Insulin was discovered by Dr. Frederick Banting in the early 1920s and was tested on human beings with great success. Although different from the insulin used today, this discovery would forever change the lives of millions in the years to come. Sulfonylureas, which are pills discovered in the 1950s to lower blood sugar, are still used today for Type 2 diabetes patients and include glipizide, gliclazide and gliquidone. These oral medications stimulate insulin production in the body by the pancreas.

Significance

• Due to the fact that available oral medications prompt natural insulin secretion in the body, the blood sugar is lower throughout the day, and many Type 2 diabetics can live normal lives. In the case of insulin injection, without it, diabetics' sugar levels would rise to dangerous levels due to carbohydrate consumption. Diabetics had no way of controlling their blood sugar other than a strict, controlled diet for thousands of years before the discovery of these medications.

Types

• There are multiple types of insulin available. Lantus is a new insulin that lasts for 24 hours in the blood stream, which allows for fewer injections and better blood glucose control. Regular insulin, labeled as R, also is very useful as it brings blood sugar levels down rapidly for meals and snacks. Glipizide is a very common oral medication for diabetics that is available in different dosages and differs in action from Metformin, which interacts with the liver to produce less glucose in that organ.

Benefits

• Diabetes medication in the correct doses keeps blood sugar in a normal range, anywhere from 90 to 120 mg/dl. By keeping the glucose in the blood at normal levels, damage can be minimized as high sugar in the blood damages the small capillaries in organs and cells. Eyes are especially prone to capillary damage, and many diabetics go blind if they are not in control of their blood sugar levels.

Considerations

• Depending on what type of diabetes you have, you will want to consult your doctor on which medications will be best for you. Many of the pills that are used to treat diabetes have side effects that often outweigh the good that the pills do. Since there are so many variations, you should ask your doctor to switch medications if you have stomach problems, headaches or discomfort. Insulin must be treated with care because too much can result in hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, which can result in dizziness or possible fainting episodes that can lead to trauma.