guest post~Public Awareness regarding some Type 2 Medications

Recently I was approached by Jeff Jocoy on behalf of the Public Outreach Department at a website called Drugwatch.com. He was wondering if I would be interested in a guest blog post to help raise awareness about some current Diabetes medication issues.  These issues are regarding Type 2 medications.   Realizing that my blog is mostly about Type 1 Diabetes, but also knowing that the DOC is a place for ALL diabetics, no matter their "type", I decided to go ahead.

I emailed Jeff to tell him that I would be interested, and here is the post, as sent to me. 

********Please note that this post is not intended as medical advice.  It is for informational purposes only. Do not stop any medications you may be taking without first talking to your Health Care Professional. Do your own research and feel free to copy this article and bring it with you to your appointment.******* 

 

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Options

If you have diabetes, your treatment options can sometimes seem overwhelming. However, they can seem less complex if you consider your overall health, glucose levels and lifestyle.

The most basic form of treatment for type 2 diabetes is diet and exercise. Patients who can effectively lower their glucose levels with diet and exercise will still have to keep a close eye on their condition, but will not have to approach other treatment methods as long as this method works.

People will type 1 diabetes require insulin injections, either through shots or a pump. The insulin enters the bloodstream and enables the cells to use sugar.

Often, people with type 2 diabetes will need more than diet and exercise to manage their glucose levels. These people should discuss their medication options with their doctor to learn about the risks involved one example being a study that has linked Actos and bladder cancer.

There are several medications that manage glucose in different ways. Before starting any medication, individuals should research the potential risks and warnings.

Medications such as Amaryl, which is a sulfonylurea drug, and Prandin, which is in the meglitinide family of drugs, stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin. With these medications — and most diabetes medications — you will want to watch for dips in blood-sugar levels.

Metformin is one of the most popular diabetes medications. It maintains glucose levels by decreasing glucose production in the liver, and is often prescribed in combination with another drug.

Actos is the best-selling diabetes drug of all time. It’s part of the group of drugs known as thiazolidinediones, which reduce glucose production in the liver while increasing the effectiveness of insulin in muscle and fat.

Unfortunately, Actos carries a black-box warning for its link to heart failure. And in 2011, studies revealed that Actos increases the risk of bladder cancer by 40 percent in patients who take it for more than a year which has led to many filing Actos lawsuits.

Actos can also cause eye disease and bone fractures.

Talk to your doctor about these risks before you take Actos. If you’re already taking Actos, you should ask your doctor about an alternative medication. Never stop taking a medication unless your doctor tells you to.

Precose and other alpha glucosidase inhibitors block the breakdown of starches in the body. They are usually taken at the beginning of a meal, and cause the rise of glucose to slow after eating.

Finally, DPP-4 inhibitors allow a natural compound that reduces glucose levels to stay in the body for a longer period of time.

Diabetes treatments and medications are always evolving. Each type 2 diabetes patient has a different situation and lifestyle that could call for a different treatment option. Patients should talk to their doctor about which option is right for them.

Author Bio: Jennifer Mesko is an editor for Drugwatch.com. She draws on her journalism background to keep consumers informed about drug safety and other relevant news.