Diabetes drugs

Diabetes is a chronic health condition caused by decreased insulin production in the pancreas. Insulin is responsible for taking glucose out of the bloodstream and into your cells for energy. As insulin decreases, it is more difficult for your body to remove glucose from your bloodstream. This triggers diabetes, an illness that affects 37.3 million Americans. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.

Diabetes Drugs

Diabetes medicines help lower high blood sugar levels because of reduced insulin production. They help stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin and inhibit the liver from releasing glucose into the bloodstream. Aside from these two, it is can also block stomach enzymes that break down carbohydrates into sugar.

How does it work? Diabetes medicines control your blood sugar levels in different ways and forms. For example, there are diabetes drugs that could be taken orally, while others can be through injection.

List of Diabetes Drugs

Today, there are a variety of diabetes meds available on the market. Here are some of the most common classes available for prescription:

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Biguanides
Bile Acid Sequestrants
Dopamine-2 Agonists
DPP-4 inhibitors
Meglitinides
SGLT2 Inhibitors
Sulfonylureas
TZDs
Oral combination therapy

Type 1 Diabetes Drugs

An autoimmune reaction causes type 1 diabetes. This means that your body mistakenly attacks itself. As a result, it is prevented from producing insulin. Although drugs for this type of diabetes are now available, these must be taken regularly for the rest of their lives.

Type 2 Diabetes Drugs

On the other hand, Type 2 diabetes is when your body abnormally uses insulin. It is when your insulin cannot keep high blood sugar level at bay. Commonly, it takes years of unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle patterns to develop Type 2 diabetes. Like Type 1 diabetes, medications for this diabetes are now available on the market.