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The Side Effects of Type 2 Diabetes Medications

Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition where the insulin in a person's body is in short supply. Insulin is what brings glucose, food's natural sugars, from the blood to the cells. Cells use glucose for energy, so a lack of glucose from type 2 diabetes means that cells lack energy or fuel. If insulin cannot lead the glucose to the cells, then glucose stays in the blood and can cause health problems. Doctors can prescribe medicine to help this problem, however the medicine can have side effects.

  1. Repaglinide

    • The drug Repaglinide helps control blood sugar levels for type 2 diabetes patients. Repaglinide can also cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hypoglycemia, chest pain, muscle and headaches, tooth pain, sinusitis and bronchitis.

    Glimepiride

    • Some doctors prescribe Glimepiride for their patients for help with their type 2 diabetes. This drug is useful, but has some side effects such as perspiration, muscle weakness, vision that is blurred, confusion, rashes, tremors, dizziness, seizures, easy bruising, shaking, chills, jaundice and fever.

    Glipizide

    • Medicines prescribed by doctors for people who are having difficulty keeping their blood sugar levels in check include Glipizide. The drug Glipizide is taken orally and can have negative side effects, including weight gain and low levels of blood sugar. Glipizide can also have more serious side effects including tremors, hives, dark urine, blurred vision, breathing difficulty, and tongue and face swelling. These side effects may be signs of an allergic reaction to Glipizide.

    Sitagliptin Phosphate

    • Sitagliptin phosphate is a prescription drug that can be used to help increase the body's production of insulin and lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics. Side effects include diarrhea, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, runny nose, sweating, shaking, and vision problems. Sitagliptin phosphate is also known to cause an infection in the upper respiratory tract on occasion.

    Metformin

    • A commonly prescribed medication for type 2 diabetes, Metformin is not only used for those needing to control their blood sugar, it's also used to prevent type 2 diabetes in those at high risk for developing the disease. One side effect of Metformin is a serious condition known as lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis can occur when a person's blood becomes too acidic. The symptoms for lactic acidosis include pain in the muscles and stomach, slow heart rate and a feeling of being cold. A person should immediately contact their physician if these symptoms occur.

    Pioglitazone

    • The drug Pioglitazone helps reduce the body's resistance to insulin. Side effects include weight gain that can contribute to heart failure, tooth problems, breathing difficulty, swelling, faster heartbeat, muscle pains, fatigue, vomiting, jaundice, pain in stomach and dark urine. For women, a change in menstrual cycles may occur as well.

    Exenatide

    • Patients injecting the drug Exenatide for type 2 diabetes may experience side effects, including weight loss, nausea, indigestion, headaches, vomiting (if vomiting is persistent see a doctor immediately) and decreased appetite. Some people may experience more serious side effects such as mouth swelling, chest pains, hives, jittery feelings, nervousness, trouble with vision and stomach pains.

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