Medicines/drugs used in diabetes

Description
An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of type 2 diabetes.
Alternative Names
Type 2 diabetes; Maturity onset diabetes; Noninsulin-dependent diabetes

Medications:
Many anti-hyperglycemic drugs are available to help patients with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels. Most of these drugs are aimed at using or increasing sensitivity to the patient's own natural stores of insulin. Metformin is the only drug to date that achieves lower mortality rates.
For the most part older oral hypoglycemic drugs -- such as metformin and sulfonylureas -- are less expensive than, and work as well as, newer diabetes drugs. They are generally recommended as first-line drugs to use. Metformin is a safe and effective drug because it does not cause weight gain or too-low blood sugar. Metformin can also help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
In general, these drugs will reduce hemoglobin A1c levels by 1 - 2%. Adding a second oral hypoglycemic is generally recommended if inadequate control is not achieved with the first medication. For the most part, doctors should add a second drug rather than trying to push the first drug dosage to the highest levels.

Biguanides (Metformin)
Metformin (Glucophage) is a biguanide, which works by reducing glucose production in the liver and by making tissues more sensitive to insulin. Many experts recommend it as a first choice for most patients with type 2 diabetes who are insulin resistant, particularly if they are overweight. Metformin achieves lower mortality rates from diabetes and all causes than other drugs. In one comparison study, it achieved the lowest mortality rates (8%) compared to insulin (28%), a sulfonylurea (16%), and a thiazolidinedione (14%). Combinations with insulin-secreting drugs, other insulin-sensitizing drugs, or insulin itself are particularly effective.
Metformin does not cause hypoglycemia or add weight, so it is particularly well-suited for obese patients with type 2 diabetes. (In some studies, in fact, patients lost weight.) Metformin also appears to have beneficial effects on cholesterol and lipid levels and may help protect the heart. Some research has suggested that it significantly reduces the risk for heart attack. It is also the first choice for children who need oral drugs and is proving to be very effective for women with polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance.
Side Effects.
Side effects include:
A metallic taste
Gastrointestinal problems, including nausea, and diarrhea
Interference with absorption of vitamin B12 and folic acid
Rare reports of lactic acidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition, particularly in people with risk factors for it. Major studies, however, found no greater risk with metformin than with any of the other drugs used for type 2 diabetes.
Certain people should not use this drug, including anyone with heart failure or kidney or liver disease. It is rarely suitable for adults over age 80.

Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureas are oral drugs that stimulate the pancreas to release insulin. They are also first-line oral drugs. For adequate control of blood glucose levels, the drugs should be taken only 20 - 30 minutes before a meal. A number of brands are available, including chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolazamide (Tolinase), acetohexamide (Dymelor), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), glyburide (Micronase), glimepiride (Amaryl), and repaglinide (Prandin).
Most patients can take sulfonylureas for 7 - 10 years before they lose effectiveness. Combinations with small amounts of insulin or other oral anti-hyperglycemic drugs (such as metformin or a thiazolidinedione) may extend their benefits. A combination of glyburide and metformin in one pill (Glucovance) is available. Glucovance may be particularly beneficial for patients with unhealthy cholesterol levels and poor control of their blood sugar levels. Some doctors recommend the combination as first-line treatment.
Side Effects and Complications.
In general, women who are pregnant or nursing or by individuals who are allergic to sulfa drugs should not use sulfonylureas.
Side effects may include:
-Weight gain (some sulfonylureas, such as glimepiride, may produce less weight gain than others)
-Water retention
-Although sulfonylureas pose a lower risk for hypoglycemia than insulin does, the hypoglycemia produced by sulfonylureas may be especially prolonged and dangerous. The newer sulfonylureas, such as glimipiride, have much less risk of hypoglycemia than older sulfonylureas.
-Some sulfonylureas may pose a slight risk for cardiac events.
Sulfonylureas interact with many other drugs, and patients must inform their doctor of any medications they are taking, including alternative or over-the-counter drugs.

Meglitinides
Meglitinides stimulate beta cells to produce insulin. They include repaglinide (Prandin), nateglinide (Starlix), and mitiglinide. These drugs are rapidly metabolized and short-acting. If taken before every meal, they actually mimic the normal effects of insulin after eating. Patients, then, can vary their meal times with this drug. (Nateglinide appears to work more quickly and is shorter-acting than repaglinide). These drugs may be particularly helpful in combination with metformin or other drugs. They may also be a good choice for people with potential kidney problems.
Side Effects.
Side effects include:
- diarrhea and headache. As with the sulfonylureas, repaglinide poses a slightly increased risk for cardiac events. (Newer drugs, such as nateglinide, may pose less of a risk.)
-People with heart failure or liver disease should use them with caution and be monitored.

Thiazolidinedione
Thiazolidinediones, also known as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists, include rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos). They improve insulin sensitivity by activating certain genes involved in fat synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. These drugs are usually taken once or twice per day; however, it may take several days before the patient notices any results from them and several weeks before they take full effect. Thiazolidinediones are usually taken in combination with other oral drugs or insulin. Thiazolidinediones available as 2-in-1 pills include rosiglitazone and metformin (Avandamet), rosiglitazone and glimepiride (Avandaryl), and pioglitazone and glimepiride (Duetact).
Side Effects.
Thiazolidinediones can have serious side effects.
- They can increase fluid build-up, which can cause or worsen heart failure in some patients. Combinations with insulin increase the risk. They should not be used by patients with heart failure and should be used cautiously in those with risk factors for heart failure.
-Rosiglitazone may also increase the risk for heart attack. Patients who take rosiglitazone, especially those who have heart disease or who are at high risk for heart attack, should discuss their treatment options with their doctors.
Thiazolidinediones may cause more weight gain than other diabetes medications or insulin. Any patient who has sudden weight gain, water retention, or shortness of breath should immediately call their doctor. These drugs have also been linked to increased risks for bone fracture.
There have been rare reports of rosiglitazone causing or worsening diabetic macular edema. This is an eye condition associated with diabetic retinopathy that causes swelling in the macular area of the retina. Symptoms include blurred vision and decreased color sensitivity. Most patients who had this side effect also had swelling in the feet and legs (peripheral edema). The condition resolved or improved when patients stopped taking the drug.
Thiazolidinediones can also cause liver damage. Patients who take these drugs should have their liver enzymes checked regularly.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, including acarbose (Precose, Glucobay) and miglitol (Glyset), reduce glucose levels by interfering with the absorption of starch in the small intestine. Acarbose tends to lower insulin levels after meals, a particular advantage, since higher levels of insulin after meals are associated with an increased risk for heart disease. Some evidence suggests that early use of these drugs may reduce heart risk factors, including high blood pressure. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are not as effective alone as other single oral drugs, but combinations, such as with metformin, insulin, or a sulfonylurea, increase their effectiveness.
Side Effects.
These medications need to be taken with meals. Unfortunately, about a third of patients stop taking the drug because of flatulence and diarrhea, particularly after high-carbohydrate meals. The drug may also interfere with iron absorption.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors do not cause hypoglycemia when used alone, but combinations with other drugs do. In such cases, it is important that the patient receive a solution that contains glucose or lactose, not table sugar. This is because acarbose inhibits the breakdown of complex sugar and starches, which includes table sugar.

GLP-1 Inhibitors (Exenatide)
Incretin mimetics belong to a new class of drugs that help improve blood sugar control. Incretins include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) inhibitors and DDP-4 inhibitors.
In 2005, the FDA approved exenatide (Byetta), the first GLP-1 inhibitor drug. Exenatide is an injectable drug that is a synthetic version of the hormone found in the saliva of the Gila monster, a venomous desert lizard. Exenatide is injected twice a day, 1 hour before morning and evening meals. It is prescribed for patients with type 2 diabetes who have not been able to control their glucose with metformin or a sulfonylurea drug. It can be taken in combination with these drugs or alone.
Side Effects.
Exenatide stimulates insulin secretion only when blood sugar levels are high and so has less risk for causing low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when it is taken alone. However, the risk for hypoglycemia increases when exenatide is taken along with a sulfonylurea drug. There does not appear to be a risk for hypoglycemia when exenatide is used along with metformin. Other side effects may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Exenatide has been associated with cases of acute pancreatitis, which is sudden inflammation of the pancreas. Symptoms of acute pancreatitis include severe abdominal pain that may radiate to the back. The pain may or may not be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Patients who feel severe stomach pain that does not go away should seek prompt medical attention.

DPP-4 Inhibitors (Gliptins)
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, also called gliptins, are the second class of incretin drugs. In October 2006, the FDA approved the first DPP-4 inhibitor -- sitagliptin (Januvia). It can be used alone or in combination with metformin or a thiazolidinedione drug. It may also be used as add-on therapy to a sulfonylurea drug. In 2007, the FDA approved Janumet, which combines sitagliptin with metformin in one pill. Other DPP-4 drugs being studied include vildagliptin (Galvus) and saxagliptin.
DPP-4 inhibitors work in a similar way to GLP-1 inhibitors. However, unlike exenatide, which is given by injection, DPP-4 inhibitor drugs are taken as pills by mouth.
Like exenatide, DPP-4 inhibitors do not cause weight gain, have low risks for hypoglycemia, and have few severe side effects. The most common side effects include upper respiratory tract infection, sore throat, and diarrhea.

Pramlintide (Symlin)
Approved in 2005, pramlintide (Symlin) is a new type of injectable drug that may help patients who take insulin but still need better blood sugar control.
Pramlintide is a synthetic form of amylin, a hormone that is related to insulin.
Pramlintide is used in combination with insulin to lower blood sugar levels in the 3 hours after meals.

Insulin Replacement
Insulin replacement may be necessary when natural insulin reserves are depleted. It is typically started in combination with an oral drug (usually metformin).
Because type 2 diabetes is progressive, many patients eventually need insulin. However, when a single oral drug fails to control blood sugar it is not clear whether it is better to add insulin replacement or a second or third oral drug.
Some experts advocate using insulin as early as possible for optimal control. However, in patients who still have insulin reserves, there is concern that extra natural insulin will have adverse effects. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and weight gain are the main side effects of insulin therapy. It is still not clear if insulin replacement improves survival rates compared to oral drugs, notably metformin.
Fortunately, studies to date have not reported any adverse cardiac effects in patients with type 2 diabetes who take insulin. In fact, insulin has been associated, in some cases, with improvement in heart risk factors. More research is needed to clarify these important issues.
Forms of Insulin.
Doctors are working toward administering insulin so that it closely mimics the daily pattern of insulin, which responds to blood sugar levels by surging after meals and then falling to a steady base level afterward. To achieve this, doctors may use two insulin types:
-Fast-Acting Insulins for Surges. Insulin lispro and aspart are fast-acting insulins. They mimic insulin's response to food intake. They are taken before meals, and their short action reduces the risk for hypoglycemia afterward.
-Slower Insulins for Base Levels. Intermediate forms (including NPH and lente) and long-acting forms (glargine, ultralente) were developed to provide a steady level of insulin throughout the day. To date, glargine (Lantus) seems to be the most successful in achieving this goal in type 2 diabetes.
In general, there is no advantage to dosing insulin more than two times a day for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Investigational Drugs
Sodium Glucose Uptake Transporter 2 (SGLT-2) Inhibitors. SGLT-2 inhibitors are a new class of drug being investigated for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Preliminary trials for two of these drugs, dapagliflozin and sergliflozin, have shown promising results in helping improve blood glucose control. The drugs are being tested in combination with metformin.

Warning on Dietary Supplements
Various fraudulent products are often sold on the Internet as “cures” or treatments for diabetes. These dietary supplements have not been studied or approved. In 2006, the FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched a crackdown on these scams. The FDA and FTC warn patients with diabetes not to be duped by bogus and unproven remedies.