What do I need to know about diabetes medication?
Many types of diabetes medication can help people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood glucose. Each type of diabetes medication helps lower blood glucose in a different way. The diabetes pill (or medication) you take is from one of these groups. You might know your pill (or medication) by a different name.
Sulfonylureas (SUL-fah-nil-YOO-ree-ahs) stimulate your pancreas to make more insulin.
Biguanides (by-GWAN-ides) decrease the amount of glucose made by your liver.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AL-fa gloo-KOS-ih-dayss in-HIB-it-ers) slow the absorption of the starches you eat.
Thiazolidinediones (THIGH-ah-ZO-li-deen-DYE-owns) make you more sensitive to insulin.
Meglitinides (meh-GLIT-in-ides) stimulate your pancreas to make more insulin.
D-phenylalanine (dee-fen-nel-AL-ah-neen) derivatives help your pancreas make more insulin quickly.
Combination oral medicines put together different kinds of medication.
What if I have type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 is the type of diabetes that people most often get before 30 years of age. All people with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin (IN-suh-lin) because their bodies do not make enough of it. Insulin helps turn food into energy for the body to work.
What if I have type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 is the type of diabetes most people get as adults after the age of 40. But you can also get this kind of diabetes at a younger age.
Healthy eating, exercise, and losing weight may help you lower your blood glucose (also called blood sugar) when you find out you have type 2 diabetes. If these treatments do not work, you may need one or more types of diabetes medication to lower your blood glucose. After a few more years, you may need to take insulin shots because your body is not making enough insulin.
You, your doctor, and your diabetes teacher should always find the best diabetes treatment plan for you.
