Drug Information and Comparison

Understand Diabetes in Simple Words

Human body system uses food to generate energy from. Process of generating energy is carried out by each and every cells and tissues of every organ of the body. Energy generating process is comprised of many small processes involving many hormones. Basic is Eaten Food >> Glucose >> Energy. Pancreas gland secrets a hormone known as insulin. Insulin is vital to convert glucose into energy. Diabetes occurs when pancreas gland fails to produce enough or no insulin.

Types of Diabetes
Diabetes type 1 and diabetes type 2 are two types of diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes: Diabetes type 1 occurs when cells of pancreas gland are damaged or destroyed because of any reason. This is called insulin-dependant diabetes. Type 1 diabetes leads to lack of insulin, makes body unable to transform glucose into energy and accumulation of insulin.

Type 2 Diabetes: Diabetes caused when receptors (cells that help insulin to activate and perform its function) fails to respond insulin. This is called insulin-resistance diabetes.

Diabetes Medications

Based on methods of working five types of medications are used to treat diabetes. Some medications are used to treat both types of diabetes.

Classes and actions of diabetes medications

*Sulfonylureas stimulate beta cells of pancreas to produce more insulin. Class is further classified in first, second and third generation.
*Biguanides work by reducing excess glucose production in intestine.
*Alpha-Glucosidase slows absorption of carbohydrates (starch) in the intestine.
*Thiazolidinediones help body system to utilize more insulin
*Meglitinides stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin

Sulfonylureas Diabetes Medication

This is first type of diabetes medication. Drugs of this class are used to treat type 2 diabetes. Medications of this class stimulate beta cells to produce more insulin so that more glucose can be converted to energy. Sulfonylureas diabetes medication just stimulates damaged beta cells it does not work where beta cells are dead.

As time passed more researches have been conducted and more improved diabetes medications of this class were produced. Further classification is as below.

First generation sulfonylureas

* Acetohexamide (Dymelor)
* Chlorpropamide (Diabinese)
* Tolbutamide (Orinase)
* Tolazamide (Tolinase)

Second generation sulfonylureas

* Glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL)
* Gliclazide (Diamicron)
* Glyburide (Glibenclamide, Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase Pres Tab)
* Gliquidone (Glurenorm)
* Glyclopyramide (Deamelin-S)

Third generation sulfonylureas

* Glimepiride (Amaryl)

Side effects of Sulfonylureas: bloating, low blood sugar, nausea, anemia, heartburn, weight gain, sun sensitivity and taste change.

Biguanides Diabetes Medication

Biguanides, like sulfonylureas, also stimulates beta cells of pancreas gland to produce more insulin. However, biguanides does that by binding itself at different site.

Metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glucovance)

Side effects of metformin include bloating, nausea, fullness, diarrhea, cramping, vit B12 deficiency, metallic taste, headache, lactic acidosis and agitation.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors Diabetes Medication

These drugs are used to treat type 2 diabetes. Drugs of this class work by reducing digetion of carbohydrates such as starch. This diabetes medication is also known as starch blocker.

* Acarbose (Precose)
* Miglitol (Glyset)
* Voglibose (Voglib)

Side effects of these drugs include stomach pain (because of swelling), nausea, excess gas, and diarrhea.

Thiazolidinedione Diabetes Medication

These drugs are most effective with fewer side effects. Thiazolidinediones are double in action. This diabetes medication reduces the glucose formation and helps beta cells glucose uptake.

* Rosiglitazone (Avandia)
* Troglitazone (Rezulin)
* Pioglitazone (Actos)

Side effects of thiazolidinedione include fluid retention, leg swelling, weights gain.

Meglitinide Diabetes Medication

Meglitinides are used to treat type 2 diabetes. They work by increasing presence of positive clacium ions which help fusion of insulin and leads to increased fusion of insulin granulae. Result is increased secretion of insulin.

*Repaglinide (Prandin)

*Nateglinide (Starlix)

Side effects are lower glucose level and weight gain.