With just four exceptions (insulin, pramlintide, liraglutide and exenatide), all prescription medications used to treat diabetes are taken orally, available in diabetic tablet form. There are five types of medications used for type 2 diabetes, to control blood sugar levels: biguanides (metformin), sulphonylureas (Glucotrol, glibenclamind/glyburide, Amaryl), meglitinides (Starlix, Prandin), glitazones or thiazolidinediones (Actos, Avandia), and acarbose (Glucobay). All of these popular diabetes medications are taken as a diabetic tablet.
Diabetes Tablets: Uses and Risks
First introduced in the 1950s, metformin (originally sold as Glucophage, now available as a generic) is the most widely used prescription diabetic tablet. It lowers blood sugar by reducing the liver’s production of sugar, increasing the absorption of sugar by the cells, and lessens the insulin needs of the body. There are fewer side effects than with other oral diabetes drugs. Most common are gastrointestinal issues, though people with lung, liver or kidney disorders are advised against taking it, due to the risk of lactic acidosis. Also used since the 1950s are the sulfonylureas – Glucotrol, Diabeta, Glynase, Micronase, and Amaryl. As they’re long-acting, a common side effect is hypoglycemia (especially when combined with other medicines that lower blood sugar). Those with liver or kidney problems are advised not to take it. The sulfonylureas carry a FDA warning of cardiovascular disease risk. Meglitinides (Starlix, Prandin) stimulate the release of insulin in the pancreas. Common side effects with Prandin can include gastrointestinal problems, headaches, weakness and confusion. Starlix can cause cold and flu-like symptoms, and also dizziness, joint pain, and hypoglycemia. People with diabetic ketoacidosis should not take it, and those with liver, kidney, pituitary or adrenal problems should exercise caution. Glitazones improve insulin sensitivity, lowering blood sugar. Health risks include possible liver damage, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite and fluid retention. People at risk of heart failure should not take glitazones. Avandia was withdrawn from the European market in 2010, due to cardiovascular risk. With Glucobay, health concerns include gastrointestinal problems, cases of hepatitis, allergic reactions, and an increase in liver enzymes. People with diabetic ketoacidosis, liver or kidney disorders shouldn’t take it. Women who are pregnant or nursing are advised to steer clear of these oral medications taken as a diabetic tablet. The preferred form of treatment for these patients, if diet and exercise are not enough to control blood sugar, is injected insulin.
Diabetes Tablet Alternatives: Ancient Remedies
There are also natural treatments sold as dietary supplements, which are available in a diabetic tablet form. There are many herbs that have been used for centuries (particularly in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine) that reduce blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity. A few of these that are available as natural diabetic tablets are gymnema sylvestre, bitter melon, mulberry leaves, fenugreek, cinnamon and ginseng. Bitter melon and mulberry leaves were found in clinical tests to be as effective as the sulfonylurease drug Glyburide.
