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Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of
metabolism, the processes through
which the body uses food that has
been broken down by digestion. Most
food is broken down into glucose,
which the body can use for energy
and growth. Glucose travels through
the bloodstream to cells throughout
the body. But glucose cannot enter
the cells without the help of a hormone
called insulin. Insulin is produced
by the pancreas, a large gland beneath
the stomach. In people with diabetes
mellitus, the body does not have enough
insulin to move the glucose into the
cells. This may be because the pancreas
does not produce enough insulin or
because the cells do not respond to
the insulin, even though plenty is
produced. Either way, glucose builds
up in the blood and passes out of
the body in urine without ever having
been used as fuel.
There are two types of insulin called
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
and Non-Insulin-dependent diabetes
mellitus. In Type 1 diabetes, the
pancreas produces little or no insulin.
People with this type of diabetes
must take injections of insulin every
day to stay alive. Type 2 diabetes
is a condition where enough insulin
is produced, but the bodies are unable
to use it.
What precautions do I need to take
while taking Antidiabetic medication
?
Consult your physician periodically
while taking antidiabetic drugs. The
physician will check to make sure
the medicine is working as it should
and will watch for unwanted side effects.
For this medicine to be effective,
doses must be carefully balanced with
meals and daily activity. Following
all guidelines for diet, exercise,
regular blood sugar testing, use of
alcohol and tobacco, sick days, and
preparation for emergencies is extremely
important.
Older people may be especially sensitive
to the effects of sulfonylureas, especially
when they are taking more than one
type of antidiabetic medicine. In
addition, the early signs of low or
high blood sugar may not be as noticeable
in older people.
Children who have not reached puberty
may be particularly sensitive to the
effects of insulin and are more likely
to have their blood sugar levels drop
too low.
What are the likely side effects of
Antidiabetic medications ?
If seizures (convulsions), fainting,
or unconsciousness occur during treatment
with sulfonylureas or insulin, get
medical help immediately.
Too much insulin or sulfonylurea
may cause weight gain or low blood
sugar. Check with a physician as soon
as possible if weight gain or any
of these signs of low blood sugar
occur:
- Anxiety
- Nervousness
- Confusion
- Drowsiness (more than mild)
- Nightmares or fitful sleep
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
Other common side effects include
dizziness, mild drowsiness, heartburn,
changes in taste, changes in appetite,
mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain,
fullness or discomfort in the stomach,
constipation, frequent urination or
increased urine output, usually go
away as the body adjusts to the drug
and do not require medical treatment
unless they continue.
What are the likely drug interactions
of Antidiabetic medications ?
Antidiabetic drugs may interact with
a number of other medicines. When
this happens, the effects of one or
both of the drugs may change or the
risk of side effects may be greater.
For example:
- Alcohol may cause low blood sugar
problems to last longer than they
normally would. Also, people who drink
alcohol while taking antidiabetic
drugs may have uncomfortable flushing
of the face, arms, and neck.
- Many types of medicine may increase
the chance of low blood sugar when
taken with antidiabetic drugs. Examples
are aspirin and other salicylates;
medicines such as cimetidine (Tagamet)
and ranitidine (Zantac), used to treat
ulcers and heartburn; antifungal drugs
such as fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole
(Nizoral), and miconazole (Monistat
i.v.); medicine for infections, such
as chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin)
and ciprofloxacin (Cipro); and quinine,
used to treat malaria.
- Other types of drugs may increase
the chance of high blood sugar when
taken with antidiabetic drugs. Some
drugs that may have this effect are:
corticosteroids; lithium, used to
treat bipolar disorder (manic-depressive
illness); and thiazide diuretics (a
type of water pill).
The list above does not include all
the drugs that may interact with antidiabetic
drugs. Be sure to check with a physician
or pharmacist before combining anti-diabetic
drugs with any other prescription
or nonprescription medicine.
What medications are used to treat
diabetes ?
Some of the medications prescribed
for diabetes include
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