Allergic Reactions to Diabetes Medicines

Doctors prescribe diabetes medications to reduce insulin resistance in the body and allow the body to properly use glucose for energy. As with all medications, however, diabetes medications are subject to beneficial effects as well as allergic reaction-type side effects that range from mild to severe. The five types of diabetes medications prescribed to lower blood sugar levels: sulfonylureas, biguanides, thiazolidinediones, meglitinides and DPP-4 Inhibitors. Each works in a different way to lower blood sugar and also has differing side effects.

Sulfonylureas

• About: These medications (such as Diabinese, Gluocotrol and Amaryl) cause beta cells in the pancreas to release larger amounts of insulin. These pills are taken once or twice daily.

  Allergic reactions: Potential sulfonylurea side effects include skin rash, skin itching, mild nausea, hypoglycemia (--where the blood sugar becomes too low--or weight gain.

Biguanides

• About: These types of medications lowers the amount of blood glucose and insulin in the body. Patients take the medication two to three times daily. One brand of biguanide is Metformin, which has also been shown to improve blood fat and cholesterol levels.

  Allergic reactions: Unlike other diabetes medications, biguanides do not cause hypoglycemia--providing this is the only diabetes medication taken. However, biguanides cannot be taken if a person consumes more than two to four alcoholic beverages per week, according to the National Kidney Foundation. For thosewho do, biguanides can make a person extremely nauseated. Additional side effects include decreased kidney function, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, dizziness or a constant metallic taste in the mouth.

Thiazolidinediones

• About: This class of medications helps make the body's cells more sensitive to insulin, meaning it requires a smaller amount of insulin in the body to use glucose. Brand names for this medication include Pioglitazone (taken once a day) or Rosiglitazone (taken once or twice a day).

  Allergic reactions: The chief concerns for these medications is the effects on the liver. If patients have abnormal liver enzyme levels, patients may experience liver-related symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, fatigue, yellowing skin or darker urine than normal. Weight gain, anemia, leg or foot edema (swelling) and decreased effectiveness of birth control pills.

Meglitinides

• About: These fast-acting medications help to boost the pancreas production of insulin, thus lowering blood glucose. One brand name is Repaglinide, which is typically taken 30 minutes before eating a meal. The medication begins lowering blood glucose shortly after taking it, then is typically out of the bloodstream after three to four hours, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

  Allergic reactions: Because the medicine is fast-acting, it can cause hypoglycemia in the body. Another side effect is weight gain.

DPP-4 Inhibitors

• About: This class of medications work quickly to help the pancreas make more insulin. One brand name is Starlix (generic name, nateglinide). These medications should be taken one to 30 minutes before eating a meal, but should not be taken if a person skips a meal.

  Allergic reactions: This medication has been associated with causing hypoglycemia. The medication has not been tested for its long-term effects on the liver, so patients should be observed for symptoms associated with liver disease, such as nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, fatigue, yellowing skin or darker urine than normal.