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What Medication Does a Diabetic Need

The American Diabetes Association estimates that there were 23.6 million people in the United States with diabetes as of 2007. Diabetics with uncontrolled blood sugar and blood pressure can experience serious complications, including blindness, kidney damage, heart disease and lower-limb amputations. Fortunately, there are many medications that help control diabetes.

  1. Insulin-Stimulating Oral Medications

    • Diabetes pills can help lower blood sugar by stimulating the beta cells of the pancreas to produce more insulin. Sulfonylureas and meglitinides are two drug classes that work this way.

    Liver-Affecting Oral Medications

    • Biguanides and thiazolidinediones are two classes of drugs that reduce the liver's ability to produce glucose. Thiazolidinediones also improve how insulin works.

    Process-Inhibiting Oral Drugs

    • DPP-4 Inhibitors block the breakdown of GLP-1, a compound that lowers blood sugar. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors block the breakdown of carbohydrates in the intestine, which helps control blood sugar after a meal.

    Injectable Medications

    • Pramlintide (or Symlin) is a synthetic form of the hormone amylin, which works with insulin and glucagon to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Exenatide (or Byetta) is a synthetic version of the hormone exendin-4, which helps lower blood glucose by raising insulin levels.

    Insulin Pumps

    • Unlike type 2 diabetics, type 1 diabetics require insulin shots to survive. Diabetics sometimes combine oral pills with insulin shots to help the insulin work better.

    Considerations

    • Proper meal planning, physical exercise and weight loss are key aspects of diabetes management. All medications, including over-the-counter drugs, should be discussed with a physician.

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