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When we think of diabetes treatment drugs, insulin is usually the first word that springs to mind. However, many Type 2 diabetics do not need to take insulin to control their blood sugar levels, at least not in the early stages. There are a wide variety of diabetes treatment drugs available in tablet form that your doctor is likely to prescribe before you reach the stage where insulin is necessary. A few of the type 2 diabetes treatments available are discusses below, along with their potential side effects. Some diabetes treatment drugs work by promoting insulin production in the body. One example of this type of diabetes treatment is sulphonylureas, which comes in a number of forms including glimepiride, chlorpropamide, and glibenclamide. There are a few side effects associated with sulphonylureas, the most significant being a lumpy red rash on the skin which occurs in rare cases. They can also cause nausea, weight gain and an upset stomach. Sulphonylureas are unlikely to be recommended for older diabetics as they work over a long period of time and cause blood sugar to drop too low causing a hypo. Biguanide, otherwise known as metformin, is a diabetes treatment drug taken two to three times daily. It prevents the liver from producing new glucose, and also assists insulin in carrying glucose to the body's cells. The side effects of this treatment are mild, and include an upset stomach, nausea or diarrhoea. Side effects decrease over time, and can be limited by taking biguanide tablets with food. Thiazolidinediones are a relatively new diabetes type 2 treatment drug, that comes in two distinct forms, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. This drug is designed to overcome insulin resistance in the body, enabling type 2 diabetics to use their naturally produced insulin more effectively. Side effects of this diabetes treatment include weight gain, fluid retention and headaches. It can also lead to upper respiratory track infections in rare cases. Prandial glucose regulators need to be taken three times daily to stimulate insulin production in the pancreas. They act quickly over a short time period, reducing the risk of a hypo, and so should be taken at the same time as a meal is eaten. The various types of prandial glucose regulators, including repaglinide and nateglinide, can cause an upset stomach, nausea and skin rashes. Weight gain can also be a side effect, but this can often be controlled by prescribing a flexible dose. An alpha glucose inhibitor, such as acarbose, is a diabetes treatment that can be taken three times a day. It slows down the rate at which starchy food is absorbed into the blood stream from the intestine, meaning that blood sugar levels rise more slowly after a meal. Your doctor is likely to prescribe a reduced dose of one tablet a day at first, because this will cut down on the side effects such as bloating, wind and diarrhoea. Type 2 diabetics are often deficient in a hormone known as incretin, which limits the amount of glucose produced by the liver, whilst also controlling insulin production. Taking a diabetes treatment known as DPP-4 inhibitors can increase incretin levels, enabling type 2 diabetics to better control their blood sugar. This diabetes treatment should nit be used by patients taking insulin, but can be very effective when used with drugs such as thiazolidinediones. The side effects associated with DPP-4 inhibitors depend largely on which other diabetes treatment drugs they are taken with. Most type 2 diabetics find that after many years of diabetes treatment drugs, their pancreas will no longer produce enough insulin to maintain a healthy blood sugar and they will have to begin insulin injections. Insulin is injected into various sites such as thighs, stomach or buttocks, using a relatively small needle. Even so, many may decide they can't face injecting themselves and will look for alternatives such as an insulin pump. There are a number of alternative delivery methods being developed, including an insulin patch and an inhaler.
Article Source: http://www.philvault.com
Lisa Janse is a professional writer who specializes in health topics. Learn more about coping with Diabetes by reading more useful and interesting facts on Diabetes Diets at www.sugardiabetes.net
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