Diabetes treatment drugs pills, also
called oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA), are medications or pills to lower blood
sugar.
These pills work by interacting with natural insulin in the body and are given to a person with type 2 diabetes in whom the pancreas is still producing at least some insulin. Diabetes pills will not work if you have type 1 diabetes and your pancreas has stopped producing insulin.
These pills work by interacting with natural insulin in the body and are given to a person with type 2 diabetes in whom the pancreas is still producing at least some insulin. Diabetes pills will not work if you have type 1 diabetes and your pancreas has stopped producing insulin.
TYPES OF DIABETES PILLS.
Currently, six different classes of diabetes pills are available:
- Sulfonylurea
- Biguanide
- Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitor
- Thiazolidinedione (TZD)
- Meglitinide
- D-phenylalanine (amino-acid) Derivative
- Metformin Mixtures
Each class of these pills lowers
blood sugar in a different way.
SULFONYLUREA.
Sulfonylurea is the oldest class of diabetes pills to lower blood sugar. The pills in this class are usually the first line of drugs used in treatment of type 2 diabetes.
How the drug works?
The principal action of sulfonylureas is to stimulate secretion of insulin from beta cells of the pancreas. The secondary effect of this drug is to reduce production of sugar by the liver. Both these actions lower blood sugar.
Important facts about the drug:
• Sulfonylureas are especially useful for controlling blood sugar in
thin people with type 2 diabetes who fail to control blood sugar by
diet alone.
• When sulfonylureas are used alone to treat high blood sugar, they
lower hemoglobin A1C by about 1 to 2 percent.
• The effectiveness of this class of drug varies with individuals: some
people may never achieve full control of blood sugar or many lose
control after its prolonged use.
• When a single dose of a sulfonylurea does not lower blood sugar to
the desired target, dividing the dose and taking these doses in the
morning and evening may help.
• When sulfonylureas alone are ineffective in achieving good blood
sugar control, pills from the other class or classes may be added.
• Arecent study suggests that sulfonylureas mask the severity of heart attacks. When a person is having a severe heart attack, and he or she has been using the sulfonylurea class of pills to control blood sugar, the EKG may not indicate the true electrical changes in the heart.
As a result, such a person may not get proper treatment.
Sulfonylurea is the oldest class of diabetes pills to lower blood sugar. The pills in this class are usually the first line of drugs used in treatment of type 2 diabetes.
How the drug works?
The principal action of sulfonylureas is to stimulate secretion of insulin from beta cells of the pancreas. The secondary effect of this drug is to reduce production of sugar by the liver. Both these actions lower blood sugar.
Important facts about the drug:
• Sulfonylureas are especially useful for controlling blood sugar in
thin people with type 2 diabetes who fail to control blood sugar by
diet alone.
• When sulfonylureas are used alone to treat high blood sugar, they
lower hemoglobin A1C by about 1 to 2 percent.
• The effectiveness of this class of drug varies with individuals: some
people may never achieve full control of blood sugar or many lose
control after its prolonged use.
• When a single dose of a sulfonylurea does not lower blood sugar to
the desired target, dividing the dose and taking these doses in the
morning and evening may help.
• When sulfonylureas alone are ineffective in achieving good blood
sugar control, pills from the other class or classes may be added.
• Arecent study suggests that sulfonylureas mask the severity of heart attacks. When a person is having a severe heart attack, and he or she has been using the sulfonylurea class of pills to control blood sugar, the EKG may not indicate the true electrical changes in the heart.
As a result, such a person may not get proper treatment.
Risk of low blood sugar.
Sulfonylurea pills can cause a severe fall in blood sugar, especially when you take this class of drug, and skip a meal, or exercise vigorously.
Effect on lipids.
These pills do not improve cholesterol and other blood fats.
Effect on weight.
It may increase weight.
Main side effect. Low blood sugar.
Other possible side effects. Stomach pain and itching.
Caution. This drug is not recommended if you ever experienced reaction with sulfa pills in the past.
Sulfonylurea pills can cause a severe fall in blood sugar, especially when you take this class of drug, and skip a meal, or exercise vigorously.
Effect on lipids.
These pills do not improve cholesterol and other blood fats.
Effect on weight.
It may increase weight.
Main side effect. Low blood sugar.
Other possible side effects. Stomach pain and itching.
Caution. This drug is not recommended if you ever experienced reaction with sulfa pills in the past.
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