Oral Agents for Diabetes
Oral Agents for Diabetes are pills to help people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood glucose. There are several types of pills, and each type helps lower blood glucose in a different way. For more information on Oral Agents, please review the related questions below.
Questions
Q: "Please explain the drug: JANUVIA™. My doctor had talked about putting me on Byetta®, but since JANUVIA is a pill, that sounds more appealing to me."
Concerns about TZDs and Heart Problems
Q: “I have been taking Avandia® for several years with no problems, but due to the recent publicity and FDA warnings about heart problems, my doctor called and wants to see me next week to discuss my medication. Can you explain better what this was all about? I am tempted to stop my Avandia right now.”
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)
Q: "How do Actos® and Avandia® work?"
Long-Term Effects of Oral Agents
Q: "I currently take Avandia® 4mg twice daily and Glucophage® 850mg twice daily. My typical fasting is 120. My question is: What are the long-term effects of the two drugs I am taking versus if I take the old and proven meds like Glucotrol® or Amaryl®."
Combination Pills
Q: "Are the combination pills, such as Avandamet®, Glucovance® and Metaglip® better than taking the individual pills?"
Oral Agents and "type 1 ½"
Q: "I am in between Type 1 and Type 2, am on 5 pills a day (Glucotrol®, Glucophage®, and Actos®), am 28 years old and very underweight. I have only gained back 7 pounds in the past 8 months since I was diagnosed with this. My doctor is trying to keep me off insulin which I appreciate. I am wondering what these 5 pills a day are doing to my body. Would insulin be a better and healthier option? Or does it have as many, or worse, side effects?"
Glucophage®
Q: "Can you explain to me how Glucophage XR® works? I have lost 14 pounds since being diagnosed and I am successfully keeping my blood sugar under control by counting carbs. I am supposed to take two-500mg pills in the morning & two at night. Actually the orders say 2 twice a day. I have found that I don't need the medication in the morning as I don't eat much breakfast and I go to an exercise class 5 days a week. So I take 1 or 2 pills at lunch depending on how many carbs I am going to eat. If I know that I am going to have a higher carb meal at dinner then I will save 3 pills to take then. Is this the right thing to do?"
Sulfonylureas and Meglitinides
Q: "I am only on Glucophage® but my blood glucose is not in target range and my doctor said he plans to add a sulfonylurea. Would you explain more about sulfonylureas?"
Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Q: "How do Glyset® and Precose® work?"
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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