People with type 2 diabetes should constantly monitor their blood glucose levels. Only with normal indicators you can lead a normal life. If blood sugar rises, the doctor may prescribe a special drug to normalize the patient's condition. Most of the medicines in this group are produced in tablets. All drugs (hyperglycemic) are divided into sulfonylurea derivatives, prandial glycemic regulators, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and insulin sensitizers. In pharmacies, you can also find combined products.
Sulfonylurea derivatives
Drug treatment began to be prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes in the early 60s of the last century. Today, sulfonylurea derivatives are very popular. Separate drugs of the first and second generation. The former are rarely used in modern practice. Antidiabetic drugs from this group are prescribed to patients withlarge body weight, if non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is observed. The lack of compensation for carbohydrate metabolism is a direct indication for the appointment of sulfonylurea derivatives.
New generation antidiabetic drugs based on sulfonylurea cannot be used as an independent treatment. Medications only supplement therapy. Diet plays the main role. If the patient consumes prohibited foods and at the same time takes pills that lower blood sugar levels, a good result should not be expected.
Pay attention! Hypoglycemic drugs are not prescribed to patients suffering from insulin-dependent, as well as pancreatic diabetes. Do not use medicines from this group for children, as well as for pregnant and lactating women.
Glipizide
The drug belongs to second-generation sulfonylurea derivatives. The agent stimulates the release of insulin from functionally active beta-cells of the pancreas, and also controls the amount of glucose in the cells in patients with moderate and severe forms of non-insulin dependent diabetes. The drug is sold in pharmacies in the form of tablets, each containing 0.005 g of active ingredient. The drug "Glipizide" begins to act within 30 minutes after ingestion, and after 24 hours it is completely excreted from the body.
The dosage of the medication is set by the doctor on an individual basis. Any hypoglycemic drugs are prescribed only after a series of tests. The physician must determinecomplete clinical picture. The initial daily dose should not exceed 0.005 g (one tablet). In the most difficult cases, the patient can take 2-3 tablets at a time. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 0.045 g. Tablets are taken 30 minutes before meals. When switching from insulin, the level of glycemia must be controlled for the first few days.
Side effects when using the drug "Glipizide" are practically absent. In rare cases, weakness and dizziness may occur. Such a nuisance is easily eliminated by adjusting the dosage. Most often, side effects occur in elderly patients. A new generation of hypoglycemic drugs is aimed at improving the well-being of diabetic patients. Any unpleasant reactions disappear a few days after the start of therapy. A contraindication to taking Glipizide is pregnancy, as well as individual intolerance to sulfonamides. Children are also not prescribed medication.
Gliquidone
Another hypoglycemic drug that belongs to sulfonylurea derivatives. Like the previous remedy, it stimulates the production of insulin in the beta cells of the pancreas, and also increases the insulin sensitivity of peripheral tissues. Means "Gliquidone" is characterized by a good and lasting effect. Many drugs (hyperglycemic) cause hyperinsulinemia. What can not be said about the drug "Gliquidone".
The drug is offered in pharmacies in the form of tablets. It is prescribed to patients withtype 2 diabetes, as well as elderly patients in whom diet therapy has not given a good result. The dosage is determined based on the individual characteristics of the person, as well as his clinical picture. The minimum daily dose is 15 mg, the maximum is 120 mg. Tablets are taken immediately before meals. In mild forms of diabetes, one tablet per day is sufficient. Less commonly, the drug is taken 2-3 times a day.
Side effects from taking Gliquidone exist, but they are all reversible. At the initial stage of treatment, patients may experience itching and dizziness. Unpleasant symptoms disappear the very next day after the start of therapy. Cancel the drug only in case of a serious allergic reaction. Individual intolerance occurs quite rarely. Antidiabetic drugs from this series are not prescribed to patients with type 1 diabetes. During the treatment period, one should not forget to control the level of sugar in the blood. If the indicators exceed the norm, you should consult a doctor who will change the treatment regimen.
When are sulfonylurea drugs not prescribed?
Pre-coma, as well as diabetic coma is a serious contraindication to the appointment of drugs based on sulfonylurea. Oral hypoglycemic drugs from this series are also not used during pregnancy and lactation, regardless of what result was achieved earlier.
Any surgical intervention is a great threat to the body of a person suffering from type 2 diabetes. Toto strengthen the patient's defenses, sulfonylurea derivatives are also temporarily canceled. This principle is followed in infectious diseases. The main emphasis is on the treatment of the disease in the acute stage. As soon as the patient's he alth returns to normal, new hypoglycemic drugs can be prescribed. If there are no contraindications to the use of sulfonylurea derivatives, you can start taking drugs from this series.
Prandial glycemic regulators
There have been many studies of amino acids, during which their role in insulin secretion has been proven. It was found that analogs of benzoic acid and phenylalanine have a hypoglycemic effect. Prandial glycemic regulators are able to control insulin secretion immediately after a meal. But it is at this stage that the level of glycemia rises sharply. New hypoglycemic drugs have a short-term effect. Therefore, they are taken only during or after meals. It is not advisable to use a medication for prevention purposes.
Despite the fact that the classification of hypoglycemic drugs includes prandial glycemic regulators, they are not used very often. Medicines from this series produce a short-term effect, therefore, they cannot be prescribed in the complex of serious therapy for type 2 diabetes.
Novonorm
An oral hypoglycemic drug available in pharmacies in the form of tablets. The drug is prescribed when diet therapy andphysical activity does not give the desired result. Patients with type 2 diabetes most often take Novanorm in combination with other hypoglycemic agents. This allows patients to better control their glycemic levels.
Tablets "Novanorm" should be used in combination with diet therapy. The drug is taken orally before meals three times a day. In rare cases, the dosage may be increased. Patients who are prone to snacking or skipping meals should consult their doctor about the correct use of Novanorm tablets.
As already mentioned, hypoglycemic drugs for diabetes are not always prescribed. Some people manage to control their blood glucose levels with diet alone. Tablets "Novanorm" can be used when glycemic control is temporarily lost. Side effects from taking the drug are rare and temporary. The patient may feel nausea and abdominal pain. Unpleasant sensations pass quickly. Cancel the drug only in case of individual intolerance. Novanorm tablets are contraindicated for children, women during pregnancy and lactation, patients with severe liver dysfunction.
Biguanides
The classification of hypoglycemic drugs necessarily includes drugs belonging to the group of biguanides. Medicines from this series are not responsible for stimulating insulin secretion. Despite this, biguanides play an important role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.type, as they increase the peripheral utilization of glucose by body tissues. The production of this substance by the liver is significantly reduced. Biguanides can significantly lower blood glucose levels. In some cases, it is possible to achieve normal performance at all. The main contraindication to the use of this kind of drugs is the pre-coma state in diabetic patients. 3rd generation hypoglycemic drugs are prescribed with caution to patients with a tendency to alcohol, as well as impaired liver function.
Metformin
Oral hypoglycemic drug belonging to the group of biguanides. The drug is offered in pharmacies in the form of tablets. The main active ingredient stops the absorption of glucose in the intestines, and also perfectly enhances the utilization of glucose in peripheral tissues. Metformin tablets do not cause hypoglycemic reactions. The drug is prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes who do not have a tendency to ketoacidosis. Tablets can also be prescribed in combination with insulin for obese patients.
Depending on the level of glucose in the blood, the doctor individually sets the dosage of the medication. You can start treatment by taking one tablet per day (500 mg). A gradual increase in dose can be started only after two weeks of continuous treatment. The maximum daily dosage should not exceed 6 tablets. Patients over 70 should not take more than 2 tablets per day.
Diabetes-lowering tabletsdrugs are contraindicated in people with kidney problems. If a disease occurs that can lead to a decrease in kidney functionality, Metformin tablets are temporarily canceled. You can not take them also in the period of adaptation after surgery. A serious contraindication is acute alcohol poisoning.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
This is a group of medicines that can block the production of a special intestinal enzyme (alpha-glucosidases). Thanks to the preparations from this series, the absorption of basic carbohydrates such as starch, sucrose and m altose is significantly reduced. If taken correctly, modern hypoglycemic drugs of this group have absolutely no side effects. There is no intestinal discomfort or abdominal pain at all.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors should be taken with the first sip of food. Digested together with food, the components of the drug provide a good hypoglycemic effect. Medicines from this series can be taken in conjunction with sulfonylureas or insulin. This increases the risk of hypoglycemia.
Miglitol
A sugar-lowering agent belonging to the group of alpha-glueosidase inhibitors. It is prescribed for patients with an average degree of type 2 diabetes in the event that adequate exercise and diet do not give the desired result. Miglitol tablets are most effective when taken on an empty stomach. In rare cases, other oral hypoglycemic drugs are additionally prescribed. Classification of level control productsblood glucose has been presented above.
The main components of Miglitol are completely absorbed into tissues when taken in small doses (1-2 tablets). At a dosage of 50 g, absorption is 90%. The active substance is excreted by the kidneys unchanged. The hypoglycemic drug is not prescribed for children, as well as for pregnant and lactating women. Contraindications are chronic intestinal diseases, as well as large hernias. Side effects while taking Miglitol tablets are rare. There have been cases of an allergic reaction in the form of a rash and itching of the skin.
Combined hypoglycemic drugs
In most cases, the treatment of type 2 diabetes begins with monotherapy. Additional drugs can be prescribed only when the treatment does not give the desired result. The problem is that one drug does not always cover several problems associated with diabetes. You can replace several drugs of different classes with one combined hypoglycemic agent. Such therapy will be safer. After all, the risk of developing side effects is significantly reduced. The most effective, according to doctors, are combinations of thiazolidinediones and metformin, as well as sulfonylurea and metformin.
Combination drugs designed to treat type 2 diabetes can stop the progression of hyperinsulinemia. Thanks to this, patients feel much better, and also have the opportunity to lose some weight. In most casesthe need to switch to insulin therapy is completely eliminated.
One of the most popular combined hypoglycemic drugs is Glibomet. The drug is released in the form of tablets. They are prescribed when previous therapy does not show a good result. Do not use this drug to treat type 1 diabetes. Tablets are also contraindicated for people with impaired liver function and renal failure. Children, as well as women during pregnancy and lactation, the drug is not prescribed.
Glibomet tablets have many side effects. They can cause diarrhea, nausea, dizziness. Less often, an allergic reaction develops in the form of skin itching and rash. It is recommended to use the drug strictly according to the doctor's prescription.
