Diabetes Medications 

Getting the right diabetes medications is important because type 2 diabetes is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide.  Diabetes is a condition characterized by presence of higher concentrations of glucose in the blood. Blood glucose levels increase in the body only in conditions when the glucose present in the blood is not properly absorbed and metabolized by the body cells. There can be a number of reasons for this condition. Type 2 diabetes can result either due to reduced insulin secretion from the pancreas, or the inability of the insulin to bind to the cells and generate a “hunger” stimulus, destruction of insulin receptors present on the cells, or even due to mutations in the glucose transport systems located on the cell membranes.  

Diabetes Medications: An interesting fact about diabetes is that it is a condition that persists throughout the person’s life and there is currently almost no way of reversing diabetes.  The entire objective of existing diabetes medications is to treat the issue on a daily basis by lowering the blood glucose levels at the appropriate times.  However, each one of these drugs does create certain side effects that can range from mild to severe. Hence, every year millions of dollars are being spent towards developing new diabetes medications that can lower blood glucose with minimal risk.  

At present, all the diabetes medications sold in the world market can be broadly divided into five categories. 

• Sulphonylureas – Used since 1950s, these classes of drugs act by stimulating the pancreas to release a larger amount of insulin. Some examples of Sulphonylureas that are currently in use include Chlorpropamide, Glipizide, Glimepiride, and Glyburide.  

• Meglitinides – These are another class of drugs that lower the blood glucose levels by stimulating the beta cells of pancreas towards releasing extra insulin. Some examples include Repaglinide and Nateglinide.  Apart from their mode of action, Meglitinides are in many ways similar to Sulphonylurease including dosage, side effects and interactions with other substances.  Both these classes have an increased risk of lower blood glucose level to abnormally low levels resulting in hypoglycemia and other associated symptoms. Also, these classes of drugs must never be combined with alcohol. Or else, it can result in vomiting, nausea, extreme dizziness, flushing or sickness.  

• Biguanides – The best example of this class is Metformin. Biguanides help in reversing diabetes by sensitizing the muscle tissue to insulin so that it absorbs the excess glucose present in the blood. They also decrease the amount of glucose that is released from the liver. Remember to take the drug with food. Or else, it can result in diarrhea.  

• Thiazolidinediones – This class of drugs is considered the latest range of diabetes medications.  Some well-known examples include Rosiglitazone and Pioglitazone. The mode of action of these drugs is almost similar to that of Biguanides. Thiazolidinediones stimulate the muscle and fat tissues through insulin and direct them towards absorbing high glucose present in the blood. Also, they stop the liver from secreting large amounts of glucose. Recent research reports indicate that these new diabetes medications contribute to increased risk of heart attacks.   

• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors – This class of drugs prevents the liver from breaking down complex carbohydrates like starches and other sugars by inhibiting an enzyme called alpha glucosidase. As a result, no excess sugar is released in the blood, thereby lowering blood glucose levels. Some examples include Acarbose and Meglitol.  

These different classes of diabetes medications should be discussed with your doctor to decide which ones will work best for you.