Anti-diabetic drugs treat the disease by lowering blood sugar levels. Examples of these are insulin, exenatide, and pramlintide. The different types are selected based on the nature of the diabetes, the age of the patient, and other factors.
Insulin is usually given by either injection or by insulin pump; it may also be given intravenously. There are four types of insulin separated by the rate of which they can metabolize.
Sensitizers are another form of anti-diabetic drugs. They address the insulin resistance that occurs primarily in Type II diabetes. Biguanides are one type of sensitizer which works by reducing hepatic glucose output and increase the uptake of glucose. They have adverse affects in patients that have an impaired liver or kidney problems. Metformin is most commonly used in this class, and is the best choice if people are at risk of heart failure.
Thiazolidinediones is another type of synthesizer. It is a nuclear regulatory protein which regulates glucose and fat metabolism. This drugs also helps the cells make better use of glucose. Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone are examples of this type of anti-diabetes drugs.
Sulfonylureas are fit in the class of secretagogues. They are a class of anti-hyperglycaemc medications which trigger insulin release by inhibiting the channels of pancreatic beta cells. These drugs are only useful in type II diabetes and work best with patients over 40. First-generation agents are Orinase, Dymelor, Toliase, and Diabinese. Second-generation sulfonylureas are Glucotrol, Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase, Amaryl, Diamicron.
Another type of anti-diabetic drugs in this class is Meglitinides. Meglitinides help the pancreas to produce insulin and are sometimes called ‘short-acting secretagogues’. They close the potassium channels of pancreatic beta cells and open the calcium channels. This enhances insulin secretion Prandin and Starlix are types of meglitinides. Weight gain and hypoglycemia are some of the side effects of this medication.
Other Medications
Apha-gucosiadase inhibitors are often referred to as ‘diabetes pills’. They slow the digestion of starch in the small intestine. This helps because the glucose that was created by the starch enters the bloodstream more slowly. They are most helpful combination with other agents, however, they are can work by themselves in the beginning of treatment. Examples of these inhibitors are Glyset, Precose, and Glucobay.
Insulin secretagogues are called incretins. These Glucagon-like peptides bind to the membrane of a GLP receptor, which causes an insulin release from the pancreatic beta cells. Examples of these are Exenatide, Liraglutide, and Taspoglutide. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors also fall under this category. They increase the blood concentration of the incretin of GLP-1. Examples of these anti-diabetes drugs are Galvus, Junuvia, Onglyza, and Tradjenta.
Related articles: Diabetes Pills | Metformin Therapy | Diabetes Capsules | Diabetes Januvia | Aspirin and Diabetes | Diabetes A1C Diagnosis | Diabetes Rosiglitazone | Diabetes Metformin | A1C Diabetes Testing | Diabetes Pioglitazone | Diabetes A1C Level Test |
