subject: Information on Type 2 Diabetes Medications [print this page] Information on Type 2 Diabetes Medications
Type 2 diabetes is a very common form of diabetes and many people are looking for type 2 diabetes medications every day. This article will provide you with important information on type 2 diabetes and its medications.
Type 2 Diabetes: What is it?
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes develops in the middle age and is also known as adult onset diabetes. Generally, type 2 diabetes patients are overweight and have insulin resistance instead of lack of insulin. Typically, this type of diabetes is hereditary in nature and the insulin cells in the patients are either normal or high, however, the cells are slow in eliciting a response. Due to the slow response, these patients have higher blood glucose levels.
Type 2 Diabetes Medications
Generally, medications are expensive and people tend to look for non-medicine diabetes treatment such as regular workout and diabetic diet. However, when these measures fail to elicit the desired results, oral medications are prescribed by doctors to control the elevated blood sugar levels. Some of the common type 2 diabetes medications are given below:
DPP-4 Inhibitors: DPP-4 Inhibitors are used to block enzymes to decrease the sugar production in the body thereby reducing the glucose levels in the body. One of the most common DPP-4 inhibitors is Januvia which is approved by FDA and is taken only once a day.
Sulfonylureas: These are the oldest type of diabetes medication and till 1995 these were the only available drugs to treat type 2 diabetes. These drugs stimulate pancreas for greater production of insulin. One of their most common side effects is Hypoglycemia. Some known drugs in this category include Orinase, Tolinase, Glucotrol XL and Amaryl.
GLP-1 Agonists: These medications reduce the levels of glucagon which is used to generate more glucose and insulin in the blood stream. These medications are also used to reduce weight in diabetic patients and have fewer chances to cause hypoglycemia; however, they may cause a more drastic kind of pancreatitis. Some of the GLP-1 Agonists medications include Byetta and Victoza.
Although, using type 2 diabetes medications might be necessary for you, however, you must not eliminate a balanced diet and regular workout from your routine as these are essential for weight loss.
