Oral Medications for People with Diabetes

Oral medications are often prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes to help manage their blood glucose levels. These medications can be used alone or in combination with other diabetes treatments such as insulin therapy, exercise, and diet modification.

There are several types of oral medications used for diabetes treatment, and they work in different ways to lower blood sugar levels. Here are some of the most common classes of oral diabetes medications:

1. Biguanides: This medication class helps decrease glucose production in the liver and improves insulin sensitivity in the body.
2. Sulfonylureas: These medications stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas to lower blood sugar levels.
3. Meglitinides: Like sulfonylureas, meglitinides stimulate insulin secretion to lower blood sugar levels, but they work faster and for a shorter period of time.
4. DPP-4 inhibitors: This class of medications helps lower blood sugar by blocking the action of an enzyme that breaks down a hormone called GLP-1. GLP-1 helps the body produce insulin and lower blood sugar levels.
5. SGLT2 inhibitors: These medications help lower blood sugar by blocking the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys, causing the excess glucose to be excreted in the urine.
6. Thiazolidinediones: This medication class helps improve insulin sensitivity in the body, leading to lower blood sugar levels.
7. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: These medications slow down the digestion of carbohydrates in the gut, leading to a slower rise in blood sugar levels after meals.

It is important to note that oral diabetes medications are not effective for people with type 1 diabetes, as they are dependent on insulin therapy. Also, these medications are not a substitute for healthy lifestyle habits such as exercise and diet modification, but rather a tool to be used in conjunction with these habits to help manage diabetes. Consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best treatment plan for your individual needs.