Oral medications are sometimes used to lower blood sugar in persons
with Type D diabetes (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus).
Medications are recommended for people with Type D diabetes whose blood
sugar is not controlled by diet and exercise alone.
These medications can be referred to as oral agents, diabetes pills,
anti-diabetic agents, plus special trade or generic names. All of these
medications require a doctor's prescription. They differ in dosage and
length of action. It is important to note that they are not an oral form
of insulin, nor do they replace insulin.
How do they lower blood sugar?
Prescription medications can lower blood sugar by:
- Causing the body to release more insulin into the blood stream, or
- Helping the body to use its own insulin more effectively.
These pills cannot work alone to lower blood sugar. They are part of
the treatment plan which includes diet, exercise, education and
self-testing of blood sugar.
When should these medications be taken?
Each medication will have its own instructions. Some of the more common
diabetes medications are listed below. If your physician has recommended a
different protocol, please follow his/her advice.
- Glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL): take 20 minutes before a meal
- Glyburide (Micronase, DiaBeta, Glynase): take before or after a meal
- Metformin (glucophage): take with food in the stomach or after a
meal
Some people take these medications once a day, while others take the
dose more than once a day. You should take your dose at the same time each
day to keep the blood sugar in good control. Do not skip a dose; this
could cause your blood sugar level to go higher than normal.
When not in use, most oral diabetes medications should be kept at room
temperature and out of the reach of children.
Possible side effects
All medications may produce some side effects. Prescription medications
used to treat diabetes can abnormally lower your blood
