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Antidiabetic Drugs, Know the Factors to Consider While Prescribing it to Diabetic Patients

Antidiabetic drugs manage blood sugar levels in diabetes patients, improving insulin function and reducing glucose production. Get a brief overview of Antidiabetic drugs for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes here.
authorImageDr. Nivedita17 Apr, 2024
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Antidiabetic Drugs, Know the Factors to Consider While Prescribing it to Diabetic Patients

Antidiabetic drugs treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes and manage your blood sugar. Your treatment might change based on what type of diabetes you have, your health, and other things. Diabetes means having too much sugar in your blood because your body can't use or make enough insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. There are two main types: type 1 and type 2. Both types need medicine to control blood sugar. The kind of medicine you take depends on which type of diabetes you have.

What are Antidiabetic Drugs?

Antidiabetic drugs are medications specifically designed to stabilise and regulate blood glucose levels in individuals with diabetes. They are widely employed to manage this condition effectively. These drugs include insulin, pramlintide (Amylin), GLP-1 receptor agonists like Byetta and Victoza, and tablet oral hypoglycemics. Each type of antidiabetic medication functions uniquely to help individuals maintain optimal blood sugar levels and manage their diabetes efficiently.

Antidiabetic Drugs  for Type 1 Diabetes

In type 1 diabetes, your body can't produce insulin independently. Treatment aims to provide the insulin your body needs because it can't make it.

Insulin

In type 1 diabetes treatment, insulin is the primary medication. The choice of insulin depends on how quickly it works and how long its effects last. Insulin is injected into the body through an insulin pump. Let’s now learnt eh different types of Insulin:

Types of Insulin

It's available in different types, including rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin. Details of these insulins are described in the table below:
Types of Insulins
Insulin Types Details Examples
Short-acting insulin Regular insulin, also known as short-acting insulin, typically enters the bloodstream about 30 minutes after injection, reaching its peak effect in 2-3 hours.
  • Humulin R U-100
  • Novolin R FlexPen
  • Novolin R ReliOn
  • Novolin R FlexPen ReliOn
Rapid-acting insulin Rapid-acting insulin starts working in about 15 minutes. It peaks around 1–2 hours after taking it and lasts 2–4 hours.
  • Fiasp
  • Fiasp FlexTouch
  • Fiasp PenFill
  • NovoLog
  • NovoLog FlexPen
  • NovoLog FlexT
Intermediate-acting insulin Intermediate-acting insulin starts working 2 to 4 hours after you take it. It typically peaks around 12 hours later and can last up to 18 hours.
  • Insulin isophane
  • Humulin N U-100
  • Humulin N
  • KwikPen
  • Novolin N
  • Novolin N FlexPen
  • Novolin N ReliOn
  • Novolin N FlexPen
Long-acting insulin Long-lasting insulin keeps your blood sugar levels steady for a long time, sometimes up to 24 hours or more. It doesn't cause sudden rises in your blood sugar.
  • Tresiba (also known as Tresiba FlexTouch)
  • Levemir
  • Basaglar KwikPen
  • Lantus
  • Lantus SoloStar
  • Toujeo SoloStar
  • Toujeo Max SoloStar
Combination insulins Combinational insulins contain a pre-mixed combination of Very rapid-acting or short-acting insulin and intermediate-acting insulin.
  • NovoLog Mix 70/30 (also known as NovoLog Mix 70/30 FlexPen)
  • Humulin 70/30
  • Humulin 70/30 KwikPen
  • Novolin 70/30
  • Novolin 70/30 FlexPen
  • Novolin 70/30 FlexPen ReliOn
  • Humalog Mix 75/25 (also known as Humalog Mix 75/25 KwikPen)

What are Amylinomimetic Injectables?

Some injections are given before meals to lower the sugar levels in the body; these are called Amylinomimetic injectables. Details are mentioned below:
  • Pramlintide (SymlinPen) is a type of medication called an amylinomimetic.
  • It's injected before meals.
  • It slows down how fast your stomach empties after eating.
  • It decreases the release of glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels, after meals.
  • These effects help to lower blood sugar levels.
  • Pramlintide also helps to reduce appetite.

Antidiabetic Drugs for Type 2 Diabetes

For people with type 2 diabetes, diet and exercise are often the first steps to control blood sugar. If these methods aren't enough, medications may be needed. These medications can come in two forms: pills taken by mouth (oral hypoglycemics) or injections like insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonists. The Common drugs used in type 2 diabetes are listed below:
  • Biguanides like metformin (Glucophage) are very common.
  • Sulfonylureas include glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Glynase, Micronase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), and tolbutamide (Orinase).
  • Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors include acarbose (Precose) and miglitol (Glyset).
  • Thiazolidinediones, such as pioglitazone (Actos).
  • DPP-4 inhibitors like sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), and vildagliptin (Galvus).
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists such as exenatide (Byetta) and liraglutide (Victoza).
  • Some drugs combine different types, like Eucreas, which has vildagliptin and metformin together.

Factors  Considered While Prescribing Antidiabetic Drugs

When deciding which diabetes medication to prescribe, your doctor considers various factors, including your body type. Following are the factors listed below:
  • How well does it lower blood sugar?
  • Does it cause weight gain?
  • What other side effects might it have?
  • Does it interact with other medications?
  • Is it an injection or a pill?
  • How much does it cost?

Importance of Antidiabetic Drugs in Treatment

Antidiabetic drugs are vital for managing diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels and reducing complications.
  • They are not intended to cure diabetes but to help keep the condition under control.
  • These medications are essential for preventing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).
  • Many individuals with diabetes may need to take antidiabetic drugs throughout their lives to manage their condition effectively.
  • The role of these drugs is to enhance the quality of life and minimize long-term health consequences for people living with diabetes.

Other drugs with Antidiabetic Drugs

Other medicines, besides those for diabetes, help deal with related health problems. They aim to reduce heart issues and make people with diabetes healthier overall. The drugs suggested, along with antidiabetic drugs, are listed below:
  • Aspirin is given to protect the heart.
  • Medications for cholesterol help control high cholesterol levels.
  • High blood pressure drugs are used to manage hypertension.
Lots of antidiabetic drugs can treat Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. They all do different things to help manage your blood sugar levels. To find the right one for you, talk to a doctor. They'll consider your type of diabetes, health, and other things before recommending it. Also, remember that new diabetes medicines are always being looked into for approval. Looking for top-notch NEET PG Coaching for your upcoming exam? Download the PW MedEd app for the best learning experience. Download now to secure your seat in your dream medical college!

Antidiabetic Drugs FAQs

What are the problems people face with antidiabetic drugs?

Gastrointestinal disturbances are common problems in people taking antidiabetic drugs.

Which is the safest antidiabetic drug?

Metformin is considered the safest antidiabetic drug.

What is the most successful medication?

Insulin glargine and liraglutide are the most successful medications.

What is the best tolerated diabetes medication?

DPP-4 inhibitors are the best-tolerated diabetes medication.
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