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What Is the Safest Medicine for Type 2 Diabetes?

Most type 2 diabetics cannot control the disease with diet alone. They need to take medication to keep their insulin and glucose levels in normal range. There are five different classes of medications for type 2 diabetics (sulfonylureas, meglitinides, biguanides, thiazolidinediones and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors). Some are safer than others.

  1. Interaction

    • Meglitinides like Prandin and Starlix should not be taken with alcohol. Vomiting can occur.

    Mild Problems

    • Glucophage, a biguanide, can cause diarrhea. This often stops when the drug is taken with food. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors can also cause stomach problems.

    Serious Side Effects

    • Thiazolidinediones like Avandia and Actos have been linked to liver and heart problems. Patients taking these medications need to be monitored carefully.

    New Possibilities

    • Two new type 2 diabetes drugs on the market are Symlin and Byetta. Nausea has been the only major complaint with these drugs and appears to improve with use.

    Considerations

    • When drugs are released on the market, all potential side effects are required to be listed. Individuals may or may not have the possible side effects. To some, the symptoms may be more bothersome than others.

    Potential

    • There are many combinations of drugs to treat type 2 diabetes. It may be a matter of trial and error to put together drugs that keep blood sugar under control with the least amount of side effects.

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