Prescription Drugs: Medications for Diabetes

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Can I Take Prescription Drugs Medications for Diabetes?

As diabetes has become one of the most widespread and deadliest epidemics in the world, it is no surprise that a whole slew of prescription drugs and medications for diabetes have been released since the debut of original insulin treatment in the 1920s. While such injections are still prescribed to treat the disease, diabetic prescription drugs are now most commonly taken orally. Doctors are now savvier about spotting diabetic symptoms early, and can assess the severity of the disease by testing the A1C levels of the blood, which helps to determine the proper drug prescription treatment. The first widely used type of oral hypoglycemic medications for diabetes was the sulfonylurea, which falls under the secretagogue category of diabetic treatment. A secretagogue essentially causes insulin to be secreted within the body. Meglitinides are another agent falling under this category, helping the pancreas to produce insulin, though one must be sure to take the drug with meals.

What Medications for Diabetes Work Best?

While oral diabetic prescription drugs treatment methods work to help control blood sugar levels, recent studies have shown that some may have the side effect of increasing the risk for heart disease. It should be noted that some studies show sulfonylureas, particularly its second generation agents, to be linked to heart failure. While it may appear as though a prescription drug containing metformin, an alternative to sulfonylureas without said side effects, are safer, one should know that metformin can have harmful effects on those with kidney problems. When it comes to specific medciations for diabetes, Avandia, though expensive, works to better normalize the body’s insulin utilization. Actos is another prescription drug that has a similar treatment effect, though one must take the drug for a period of up to six weeks before the effects become noticeable. Another drug prescription, Avandamet, can provide faster results; however it should be known that this class of medications for diabetes contains metformin, which is an undesirable option for those with kidney problems. Liraglutide, which has been shown to curb hunger in patients, in addition to decreasing the risk factors for diabetes, currently shows much promise in diabetes prescription drug treatment.

Fixed Combination Drugs

Also effective among medications for diabetis, fixed combination drugs are essentially two drugs contained within one pill. This can be of great convenience to diabetics and could potentially save you money; however, if a negative side effect should result from taking these types of drugs, it can be more difficult to determine which of the two contained drugs is specifically responsible. It is of utmost importance that you consult with your doctor before taking any prescription drugs for diabetes.