Medication Treatment for Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes only occurs during pregnancy. It doesn't always affect the mother, but can put the unborn baby in danger. The mother should make an effort to eat healthy and exercise. While that should be enough to keep the diabetes under control, there is medication available.

Blood Sugar Testing

• A mother with gestational diabetes can easily test her blood sugar levels with a blood glucose monitor. It will immediately alert her if the sugar level is too high or low, and she can eat accordingly or consult her doctor if necessary.

Insulin

• Insulin is needed by a very low percentage of mothers with this type of diabetes. Most manage to control the disease with their diet and an exercise routine.

Glyburide

• A few mothers might have to take oral medication such as Glyburide. This medication stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, which will help to keep the blood sugar levels within the safe range.

Metformin

• This oral medication will reduce the amount of glucose the liver produces, which again will keep the blood sugar levels in the safe range.

Exanatide

• This medication is injected under the skin, but the risks of using Exanatide during pregnancy haven't been tested enough to make it a viable option.