Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes require medication of some form or another to effectively manage the symptoms caused by diabetes. Various diabetes medications have been developed to regulate the disease. Diabetic medications are usually either injected or orally administered, notes the American Diabetes Association. Regardless of the medication, adverse reactions may occur for various reasons.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain can be an adverse reaction diabetes medications such alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, notes Drugs.com. Non-insulin injectable diabetes medications such as pramlintide and exenatide may also have this adverse reaction. Oral diabetes medications such as meglitinides, and biguanides may also cause stomach pain, according to the American Diabetes Association and Drugs.com.
Allergic Reaction
Certain kinds of diabetic medications can cause allergic reactions. Allergic reactions occur in response to an allergen. Depending on severity, allergic reactions can cause itching of the skin and even restrict air-passageways to impair breathing. Additives present in insulin meant to prevent bacterial growth may cause allergic reactions, notes the American Diabetes Association.
Diarrhea
Some diabetes medication may cause loose bowel movement, or diarrhea. Oral diabetes medications such alpha-glucosidase inhibitors may cause diarrhea. Biguanides are also oral diabetes medication that can also cause diarrhea, according to Drugs.com.
Fatigue
Certain diabetes medications may also induce an overall feeling of exhaustion or fatigue. Some oral diabetes medications such as thiazlidinediones and biguanides may cause the adverse reaction of fatigue, notes the American Diabetes Association.
Hypoglycemia
Insulin use may cause hypoglycemia in some patients, according to Drugs.com. Pramlintide and exenatide are injectable medications that can also cause hypoglycemia. Oral diabetes medications such as sulfonylureas, biguanides, DPP-4 Inhibitors, and meglitinides may also cause hypoglycemia, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are possible adverse reactions certain diabetes medications. Injectable diabetes medications such as pramlintide and exenatide may induse nausea and even vomiting. Oral diabetes medications such as meglitinides and biguanides can also cause nausea and vomiting, notes Drugs.com. Thiazolidinediones may also cause nausea, explains the American Diabetes Association.
Weight Gain and Weight Loss
Some types of diabetes medications that can cause weight gain. Oral diabetes medications such as biguanides, and DPP-4 Inhibitors may cause abnormal weight gain. Sulfonylureas may also cause weight gain, notes Drugs.com. Pramlintide is a non-insulin injectable diabetes medication that can cause an increase in weight as well, notes the American Diabetes Association. As such, medications that can cause weight gain are not recommended for diabetics with weight and cholesterol problems. Exenatide is a non-insulin injectable diabetes medication that can cause weight loss.
