About 1.6 million people, age 20 and older, are diagnosed with diabetes every year in the United States. In 2007, the total direct medical costs of diagnosed diabetes in the United States amounted to about $116 billion, notes the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes research throughout the years has led to the development of various medicines that can improve the quality of life for people with diabetes.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone used in metabolizing blood sugar. The pancreas is a gland responsible for insulin production in the body via beta cells. Beta cells within the pancreas are directly in charge of producing and releasing insulin, explains the American Diabetic Association. However, people with type 1 diabetes are unable to produce insulin, and people with type 2 diabetes are unable to properly use the insulin produced by the pancreas.
Both types of diabetes thus require insulin in order to regulate blood sugar levels. However, because insulin breaks down when exposed to digestive juices, it must be injected directly into the bloodstream to remain effective. Insulin may be administered via hypodermic injection or via an insulin pen. Aside from injections, insulin may also be taken via an insulin pump, a device that periodically releases insulin doses directly into the bloodstream via a catheter inserted in the abdomen, explains the Mayo Clinic.
Insulin is currently available in four types: quick-acting, regular-acting, intermediate-acting and long-acting. These categories are based on the time it takes for each insulin type to take effect. Quick-acting insulin, for example, typically requires about five minutes to take effect, and lasts for about two to four hours. Long-acting insulin requires six to 10 hours to take effect, but lasts as long as 24 hours, explains the American Diabetes Association.
Non-Insulin Injectable Medicines
Pramlintide and exenatide are two other injectable medicines used to treat diabetes. Pramlintide is synthetic amylin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Amylin also helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body.
Pramlintide is typically taken during meals to reduce blood sugar levels. Pramlintide can sometimes induce nausea; however, it does not cause hypoglycemia or weight gain, according to Novo Nordisk.
Exenatide is a synthetic form of exendin-4, a hormone that lowers blood sugar levels. Exenatide accomplishes this task by increasing the release of insulin. As such, it is only used to treat type 2 diabetes, explains the American Diabetes Association.
Oral Diabetes Medicines
Biguanides, thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and meglitinides are six classes of diabetes medicines that may be taken orally. All six medicine classes decrease blood sugar levels in various ways, according to the American Diabetes Association. Biguanides, for example, lower blood sugar by reducing the blood sugar made by the liver. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors work by preventing the intestine from digesting starch, such as bread, rice, and pasta, while meglitinides stimulate the release of insulin by the pancreas, notes the American Diabetes Association.
