Diabetes Medication
What does what?

Do I need medication?

If you are a type one diabetic then, yes. You will need to take insulin as your pancreas is unable to produce any of its own.

If you have type two diabetes you may need either oral medication, insulin, a combination of both, or you may be able to control your glucose levels by means of diet only. Your health care team will be able to advise you of the best course of action for your particular management.

Injectable Medication

The best known type of injectable diabetes medication is insulin but there are injectable hypoglycemic agents, such as Exenatide, which is suitable only for type two diabetes and Pramlintide which has benefits for both type one and type two diabetes. Though, in type one, it is not a replacement for insulin which would need to be carefully adjusted and monitored when used in combination with Pramlintide.

Oral Medication

Oral medications are divided into different categories depending on how they work. The main categories are:

• Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors which prevent complex carbohydrates being broken down into simple sugars that are easy to absorb.
• Sulfonylureas which make the pancreas release more insulin.
• Thiazolidinediones which work by reversing insulin resistance.
• Meglitinitides which, like the sulfonylureas, cause the pancreas to secrete more insulin.
• DPP-4 Inhibitors which have several actions, including slowing the movement of food through the intestine, reducing glucagon production and increasing the level of insulin.

  Combining medications

  Diet and exercise should always be the cornerstones of your diabetes control, but sometimes you need a little help. If you're finding it difficult to keep your sugar within the recommended range, your health care team will work with you to find the best medication.

  Sometimes one oral medication alone is not enough to get the blood sugar levels under control. If this is the case your doctor may prescribe a combination of oral medications for you.

  Occasionally, usually after many years of having the disease, type two diabetes may need insulin, or a combination of insulin and oral medication to maintain good control and avoid the complications of diabetes.
  
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