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What are diabetic medications and doses?
Metaformin, Glucophage, Glucophage XH
Works by slowing down the amount of sugar the liver dumps, and helps make the body more sensitive to insulin. Possible side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and taste changes. Need to be careful if you have kidney, CHF (congestive heart failure), or liver disease. Do not drink more than one alcoholic drink per day if you are a woman or two drinks if you are a man.
Tolazamide, Glyburide, Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase, Glipizide, Glucotrol, Glucotrol Xl, Glimepiride, Amaryl
Works by prompting or “cheering” the pancreas to make more insulin. Possible side effects: Weight gain, very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and may cause you to be sensitive to the sun. You need to take medication right before meal time and do not double up if you forget to take it earlier. May also cause problems if you have kidney disease.
Prandin, Starlix, Nateglinide, Repaglinide
Prompts or “cheers” pancreas to make more insulin. Possible side effects: Weight gain. Take before meals, and do not take if you skip a meal.
Avandia, Actos, Rosiglitazone, Pioglazone
Works by slowing down the amount of sugar the liver dumps and helps make the body more sensitive to insulin. Possible side effects: Weight gain and may cause problems for people with liver disease or CHF. May need to contact your doctor if you gain more than ten pounds quickly.
Acarbose, Precose, Miglitol, Glyset
Helps slow down the amount of starch your body absorbs. Possible side effects: nausea, bloating, gas, or very low blood sugar. Take with meals, and do not double up if you miss a dose.
Symlin, Pramlintide
Helps your body absorb insulin better, reduces appetite, helps the liver function properly, and slows down the amount of food leaving your stomach. Can only be used for people taking insulin. Possible side effects: nausea and very low bood sugar. Do not mix with insulin or use if you eat less than 250 calories or 30 grams of carbohydrates (2 CHO exchanges).
Byetta, Exenatide
Slows the amount of food leaving your stomach, helps you feel full longer, and lowers the amount of sugar the liver dumps. Possible side effects: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, dizziness and stomach upset. Need to take twice a day with your two biggest meals.
Januvia, Sitagliptin Phosphate, Sitagliptin, Galvus, Vildagliptin
Helps insulin release sugar and helps you maintain normal hormone levels in the gut. Possible side effects: nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Caution should be taken if you have kidney disease.
Janumet (Sitagliptin/Metaformin HCL)
Helps insulin release sugar, helps you maintain normal hormone levels in the gut and slows down the amount of sugar your liver dumps. Also, makes your body more sensitive to insulin. Possible side effects: stuffy or runny nose, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, gas, stomach discomfort and headache. People with kidney disease, CHF or liver disease may have problems with this medication.
Are you taking insulin?
Insulin, a hormone in your body, allows sugar (glucose) enter your cells for energy. Insulin helps store sugar in the liver. This form of sugar (glucose) is called glycogen. Insulin helps build protein in you body and slows the breakdown of triglycerides and glycogen. People with type 1 diabetes cannot survive without insulin. Many people with type 2 diabetes use insulin because insulin is considered the best medication to improve blood sugar. Possible side effects: Weight gain and very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). You can have fewer side effects if you live a healthy lifestyle and learn to manage your insulin.
What type of insulin do you take?
1. Basal Insulinu
Provides ~50% of the insulin your body needs. Basal insulin also slows down the release of sugar by the liver at meals and overnight. You usually need to take 1 or 2 times a day. Types include:
- Intermediate Acting : NPH, Humulin N, Novolin N and Lentei
Cloudy insulin. Need to take about 2 times a day if you want 24 hour coverage. Absorption rate varies and you have a higher risk for very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) than the other basal insulin. Starts working after 1 to 2 hours and peaks about 4 to 8 hours. Works usually from 10 to 14 hours, sometimes works for 24 hours.
- Long Acting Glargine, Lantus, Determir and Levemir
Clear Insulin. Works for 24 hours for most people, however some people need to take it twice a day. Needs to taken the same time each day and cannot be mixed with other insulin.
2. Bolus Insulin
Bolus insulin covers the food you eat and corrects high blood sugar. This insulin covers the other 50% of needs for the day. This is split throughout the day at each meal. Types include:
- Short ActingRegular, Novolin RU100 and Humulin RU100
Need to take about 30 minutes before eating. You can have hypoglycemia if you delay your meals. Peaks 2 to 4 hours and works about 6 to 8 hours.
- Rapid Acting: Glulisine, Apidra, Lispro, Humalog, and Novolog
Need to take 5 to 15 minutes before eating. Peaks 30 to 90 minutes and works about 3 to 4 hours.
3. 70/30, 75/25, 50/50 Insulin
Basal and bolus insulin are mixed together. Administer usually twice a day for best coverage.
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