Diabetes Medications
Diabetes Medications can be confusing. What are the best medications for diabetes. What do they do? Understanding what these medications are and what they do can be overwhelming.
Generally, all of the pills are designed to help lower the body's blood sugar in one way or another. Often, taking several pills in combination is needed.
The main types of medications are divided into five different classifications or categories:
| Drug Type | Function |
| Biguanides | Block the Liver from Making Sugar |
| Sulfonylureas | Raise Insulin in Body |
| Meglitinides | Raise Insulin in Body |
| Thiazolidinediones | Help the Body Use Insulin |
| Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors | Slow Sugar Digestion |
The following table lists the different type 2 medications, and the generic and brand names of popular drugs within each classification.
| Drug Type | Generic Name | Brand Name |
| Biguanides | Metformin | Glucophage ® |
| Sulfonylureas | Glimepiride | Amaryl ® |
| Glipizide | Glucotrol ® | |
| Glyburide | Diabeta ® | |
| Glynase Pres Tab ® | ||
| Micronase ® | ||
| Meglitinides | Repaglinide | Prandin ® |
| Nateglinide | Starlix ® | |
| Thiazolidinediones | Pioglitazone | Actos ® |
| Rosiglitazone | Avandia ® | |
| Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors | Acarbose | Precose ® |
| Miglitol | Glyset ® |
Side effects for some of the medications can include weight gain, stomach problems, swelling (face or legs), impact heart disease and affect cholesterol (raise and lower). Hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis are also possible side effects.
As always, consult with the medications disclosures, your doctor and pharmacist when evaluating any drug or medication.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ahrq.gov, Pills for Type 2 Diabetes: A Guide for Adults, December 2007 (Accessed December 2008).
