What medicine to take for high blood sugar?

If you’re struggling with high blood sugar levels, rest assured that your doctor can prescribe various types of medication to manage the condition. However, for most people, navigating through the plethora of options can be overwhelming and confusing. Should you opt for insulin injections or pills? Which one is better: metformin or sulfonylureas?

To help you answer these questions and more, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on the different medicines available to treat high blood sugar. You’ll get an overview of each medication’s mechanism of action; common side effects; and whether it’s administered orally or via injection.

So sit tight as we delve into this prescription jungle together!

First Things First: Lifestyle Changes!

Before jumping straight into medicines (not advisable) , please know that lifestyle adjustments should always come first in glucose management. This includes eating a well-balanced diet comprising complex carbs (fruits, vegetables), limiting saturated fats (hello fast food!), regular activity including 30 minutes exercise every day etc., quitting smoking because sorry folks but even having one cigarette will shoot up your levels faster than roadrunner from Wile E Coyote! Taking proper care by diligently following healthy habits isn’t just basic knowledge – its also important if medications are needed later in life.


TLDR: No matter which medicine direction one goes towards with treatment-Don’t forget good old fashion ways to immediately begin effective changes!

Medications Available

  1. Metformin
  2. Sulfonylureas
  3. Insulin
    4.TZDs or thiazolidinediones
    5.DPP-4 inhibitors or gliptins
    6.SGLT2 inhibitors
    7.GLP-1 receptor agonists
    8.Meglitinides(Uh what)?

Confused much? Don’t worry – we’ll break them down for you, pun intended!

Metformin

A medication that Superman would use to bring his levels of sugar down! This pill lowers glucose production in the liver and suppresses the amount of glucose absorbed by the intestines. As it’s typically prescribed as a first-line treatment option, it has been clinically proven to be very effective at controlling blood sugar without inducing weight gain.

Common Side Effects
– Stomach upset
– Diarrhea
– Headache
(make sure not to confuse hangover symptoms with metformin ones!)

How is it Administered?
The pill(s) are usually taken once or twice daily depending on consequences desired.

Sulfonylureas

This oral prescription stimulates pancreatic beta cells to produce more insulin(which seems like some kind of cheat code found in cartoons). It acts by increasing your body’s own inherently secreted insulin so might cause hypoglycemia among individuals who skip meals (NOT ADVISED)…So while these tablets were popular back in time they have been typically used less frequently .

Common Side Effects:
-Sweating
-Shakiness
-Hypoglycemia(uncommon)

How is it Administered?
It’s swallowed whole with water

Insulin(injections aka needles)

Ah yes, human pin cushion season is here! Typically when pancreas no longer seem able enough 0r deciding “You know what Chad?- I SHALL NO LONGER REGULATE YOUR GLUCOSE LEVEL ANYMORE WITH MY OWN INSULIN OUTPUT. YOU THOUGHT EATING DOUBLE DECKER BURGES EVERYDAY WAS A GOOD IDEA HUH??!” These injections need either doses one-twice daily(depending) all dependent upon individual specifics such age/body type/degree severity etc., (Junkies beware – this isn’t for you since after prolonged usage then become progressively ineffective).

Types of Insulin
To break down the insulin options :

Rapid-acting: Takes seconds to minutes to lower sugar levels when taken before meals(ex. humalog, novolog). Possible Hypoglycemic reactions less frequent.

Long-acting/ basal: Being longer-lasting (usually duration ranging <24 hours) and meant for strengthening a stable leveling effect(even though there’s a chance one still needs dosage supplemented with meal consumption)- so this is usually prescribed once in evening or bedtime.(Ex.insulin glargine)

Common Side Effects of Insulin:
– Weight gain
(slow and steady bud!)
-Hypoglycemia
(sudden low-glucose spell that can lead to dizzyness/shakiness/seizures/sinus tachycardia/etc., found while driving).

How is it Administered?

Injection-(Needles are fun right?)into stomach,arms or thighs

TZDs or Thiazolidinediones

These pills, similar to darth vador’s helmet – makes cells sensitive again! They regulate blood sugar by making your body respond positively towards its own internally produced insulin(bladder issues because of increased flow during therapy have also been reported as side effects).

It has however been associated with (increasing) congestive heart failure(CFH), weight gain & edema(swollen ankles/master foot discomfort etc.,)..so those allergic those mentioned.. definitely keep work away from these pills.

Common Side Effects:
-blurred vision
-muscle pain
(consult professional if severe symptoms arise!)

-Zone where they administered?
Orally consumed whole

DPP-4 inhibitors OR gliptins(wait what?)

Sounds more like an alien spice than medicine right!? These drugs increase insulin production rates initially through suppressing naturally occuring hormones called incretins(most sound like noises adopted by saying “achoo” while sneezing). This ramps up your pancreas’ secretion of insulin causing decreased levels of glucose (whoohooooo! Hooray for healthy glucose!! )

Common Side Effects
-stomach issues
-upper respiratory tract infections

How is it Administered?

Regularly swallowed whole with water

SGLT2 inhibitors

Simply put, these medicines prevent the body from reabsorbing blood sugar(you know like how we dont re-use tea bags), instead expelling the leftovers that didn’t dissolve into urine. Result: Reduced glucose production and lowering total level.(Hopefully you’re not diabetic due to poor decision-making skills in life).

These pills have been generally helpful unless caution needs to be taken as bladder or yeast infection trials have been present often,dehydration,sudden hypotension etc., so take care guys!

Common Side Effects:
-yeast/bladder issues.
-low blood pressure.

How is it Administered?
Swallowed just like others above

GLP-receptor agonists(Fancy name y’all…)

It seems obvious but GLP stands for Glucagon-Like Peptide. The medication manufactured initially boosts amylin, this encompasses other elements also produced through injection rates which decreases appetite helping reduce weight loss (Or wait..isn’t “lessening” here good??!). Meanwhile amylin leads to more fullness sensations after certain meals -(ones containing high carbs) which contribute reduction in sugar levels.

This medicine belongs among variety injections prior eating-(Who knows what side effect triggers upon consuming?- Better safe than sorry!)

The list truly goes on even though each medicine explanation tailored within a summary format(thorough information should always seem available by professionals patients consult with)…But it doesn’t hurt understanding some basics when diving head first into complex world concerning possible health mishaps. Aforementioned listed (literally, from Metformin to GLP-1 receptor agonists) all play their unique roles contributing towards achieving the healthy blood sugar levels goal one wishes to achieve). Hopefully we did a good job in breaking down this complex jungle of treatments and you’re now better equipped before making medicine choices with your doctor about any required medication!

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