The body regulates blood glucose levels through several interrelated mechanisms, ensuring adequate glucose availability to fuel body activities and storing excess amounts for future use. People with diabetes mellitus have an abnormality in glucose regulation that leads to elevated blood sugar levels. Diabetes medications interact with the glucose-regulating systems to decrease blood sugar levels. Although diabetes drugs are the primary group of medications that affect blood glucose levels, other medicines can also affect blood sugar concentrations.
Insulins
Medicinal insulins reduce blood glucose levels by replacing naturally occurring insulin. Medicinal insulins are the mainstay of treatment for people with type 1 diabetes mellitus, an insulin deficiency disorder caused by destruction of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. People with type 2 diabetes mellitus who exhibit waning insulin production also commonly require medicinal insulin supplementation. In an August 2004 article published in "American Family Physician," Drs. Jennifer Mayfield and Russell White report that approximately 27 percent of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus use insulin. The various forms of medicinal insulin decrease blood glucose levels by promoting the transfer of circulating blood sugar into the cells of the body.
Oral Diabetes Medications
Several types of oral diabetes medications interact with the body's glucose control systems to reduce circulating blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The American Diabetes Association explains that sulfonylureas, including glipizide, glimepiride and glyburide, stimulate increased production and release of insulin from the pancreas. Meglitinides, such as nateglinide and repaglinide, also stimulate pancreatic insulin release. Metformin, pioglitazone and rosiglitazone promote the transfer of blood glucose into body cells and decrease liver production of glucose.
The newest oral diabetes medicines, the DPP-4 inhibitors, interact with several different glucose control mechanisms to reduce blood sugar levels, explains Dr. Michael Cobble in an October 2009 article published in "The Journal of Family Practice." By inhibiting the breakdown of two proteins produced by the small intestine in response to eating, DPP-4 inhibitors promote a cascade of metabolic events that help keep blood glucose levels from rising to abnormal levels.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including systemic lupus erythematosus, asthma, some types of kidney disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, certain types of eczema and rheumatoid arthritis. These medications, which mimic the naturally occurring adrenal hormone cortisol, commonly cause an elevated blood glucose level, notes MayoClinic.com. This effect occurs because of the interaction of corticosteroids with the glucose-regulating systems in the body. Commonly prescribed corticosteroid medications, also known as glucocorticoids, include hydrocortisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone and prednisone.
References
- "American Family Physician"; Insulin Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes: Rescue, Augmentation, and Replacement of Beta-Cell Function; Dr. Jennifer A. Mayfield, Dr. Russell D. White; August 2004
- American Diabetes Association: Oral Medications: What Are My Options?
- "The Journal of Family Practice"; DPP-4 Inhibitors: A New Therapeutic Class for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes; Dr. Michael Cobble; October 2009
- MayoClinic.com: Prednisone and Other Corticosteroids: Balance the Risks and Benefits
- Drugs.com: Glucocorticoids
