Diabetes is a severe condition characterized by decreased insulin secretion from the pancreas and reduced insulin sensitivity in muscle cells. This condition is marked by excessive urination, extreme thirst, high blood sugar, and an increased appetite. Two of the most urgent health problems in the country are diabetes and prediabetes. According to recent estimates from the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), around 130 million Americans suffer from diabetes or prediabetes. Every year, over 1.4 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed.
Blood sugar levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be categorised as type 2 diabetes are known as prediabetes. Losing weight and exercising more can assist avoid being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The top 5 medications for managing this condition have shown efficacy in lowering A1C and blood sugar levels.
Top 5 Effective Diabetes Treatments for Better Control
Insulin (long- and rapid-acting)
Insulin is required for patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) since their pancreatic beta cells are no longer able to make it. Muscle and adipose tissue need insulin, which is essential for glucose absorption. However, insulin is used by patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) after multiple oral agents fail to reach glycemic targets.
Diabetes patients receive daily bolus insulin injections and long-acting basal insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. Insulin, a high-risk drug, can cause hypoglycemia in patients, but its benefits outweigh the risks.
Metformin (biguanide class)
Metformin is one of the best initial diabetic treatments. It is used to treat pre-diabetes and is regarded as the first-line oral medication for patients with diabetes. It works by reducing intestinal sugar absorption, raising insulin sensitivity, and reducing the liver’s synthesis of glucose. Metformin has been demonstrated to reduce postprandial glucose levels by 44%, fasting glucose levels by an average of 25%, and A1 levels by 1% to 2%.3. Before adding more oral medications to their patients’ prescription regimens, prescribers may try metformin with lifestyle changes as monotherapy, depending on how severe the disease is.
Although the medication itself is well tolerated, patients may initially experience gastrointestinal distress, including flatulence, diarrhoea, and cramping in the abdomen.
Glipizide (sulfonylurea class)
If a patient’s A1C level remains untargeted after three months of metformin use, a prescriber may consider adding glipizide to their regimen. This medication stimulates insulin secretion from beta cells in the pancreas, decreasing postprandial blood glucose levels. Because it cannot be coupled with insulin, which is a necessary treatment for all T1D, glipizide is contraindicated in T1D.
Glipizide is used to treat T2D. Glipizide should be avoided as it can result in severe hypoglycemia when coupled with insulin. The medication is most effective when taken half an hour before a meal and has been demonstrated to lower A1C levels by 1% to 2%.4.
Glipizide side effects include weight loss and nausea.
Glimepiride (sulfonylurea class)
Glimepiride and glipizide work similarly but are not commonly combined due to the increased risk of hypoglycemia.
Glimepiride is a once-daily drug that should be taken with the first main meal of the day. The medication is most effective with a healthy diet and regular exercise. Because it has no negative effects on ischaemic preconditioning, glimepiride is the sulfonylurea that causes the least weight gain and is recommended for people with cardiovascular disease.
Jardiance (SGLT2 class)
Jardiance works similarly to Invokana, but because it lowers the chance of developing or exacerbating kidney disease by 39%, it might be the better choice for people with renal impairment. In clinical trials, Jardiance’s study showed that 40% of patients experienced reduced heart failure hospitalizations, suggesting that the optimal SGLT2 should be considered for each patient.
