Drugs Used to Treat Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin to control the amount of blood sugar in the bloodstream properly. Many different types of medication are available to treat diabetes. Often patients may require a combination of medications.

Insulin

• Insulin is the primary drug used to treat diabetes. Not all patients that have diabetes will require insulin. Insulin is administered through daily injections or through an insulin pump.

Sulfonylureas

• Sulfonylureas are a type of medication that causes the pancreas to produce more insulin. Such medications include Diabinese, Glucotrol, Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta and Amaryl.

Meglitinides

• Another type of drugs that causes the pancreas to produce more insulin is the meglitinides. These drugs include Prandin and Starlix.

Biguanides

• Biguanides help to lower blood sugar levels by causing the liver to produce less glucose. The mostly commonly prescribed biguanide is Glucophage.

Thiazolidinediones

• Thiazolidinediones help insulin to perform better in fat and muscle while also reducing the amount of insulin produced by the liver. Thiazolidinediones include Avandia, Actos and Rezulin.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors

• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors work by inhibiting the breakdown of starches and sugar eaten during a meal. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors include Precose and Glyset.