Diabetic tablets are not insulin. Insulin cannot be taken orally as it cannot survive the acidic environment of the stomach. Patients with type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes) require insulin replacement treatment to provide the body with the necessary insulin that the pancreas is no longer able to produce. It is not recommended that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding take oral diabetes medications, and should instead use insulin. Type 2 diabetics may not require insulin and its use is determined on a case-by-case basis. Diet and exercise and the first responses to treating type 2 diabetes however, if after three months of diet and exercise blood glucose is still not within a normal range, diabetes medications will be prescribed. It is important to keep in mind that diabetes medicines are not able to cure the disease and, unlike insulin, often patients will have to take it for the rest of their lives
Which Diabetic Tablets Should You Use
There are five types, or families, of oral diabetes medication: Biguanides, Sulphonylureas, Thiazolidinediones, Meglitinides, Acarbose, and Gliptins. Different drugs from each of these families have different active ingredients however they work in one of the following ways: reduce insulin resistance, stimulate insulin release, slow absorption of sugar from the gut, act as DPP-IV inhibitor. The drug that your doctor will prescribe to you depends on personal factors such as your age, weight, family history, and overall health as well as if you are on any other type of medication. The first drug normally prescribed is metformin (Glucophage), from the Biguanides family. For those who are not over weight or who are unable to use metformin, a sulphonylurea may be prescribed. Often when an individual is unable to control their blood sugar with a single drug, metformin may be used in combination. Different drugs also stay in your system longer than others increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. For this reason drugs such as glibenclamide are not recommended for elderly patients.
Possible Side Effects of Diabetic Tablets
Individuals who do not respond to the aforementioned drugs will need to combine them with or replace them entirely with insulin. Certain side effects are associated with the different type of medications. Common complaints for sulphonylureas are: low blood sugar, upset stomach, rash and itching, and weight gain. Metformin can cause illness due to alcohol, kidney complications, upset stomach, tiredness, dizziness, and a metallic taste in the mouth. Thiazolidinediones may cause weight gain, increased risk of liver disease, anemia, and swelling in the legs and ankles. Meglitnides have been associated with weight gain and low blood sugar while glitpins may cause nausea, diarrhea, and bloating.
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