The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates there are 23.6 million people in the U.S. with diabetes. Among adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, 14 percent take insulin only, 13 percent take insulin and oral medications and 57 percent take oral medications only. Sixteen percent take neither insulin nor oral medications. Many diabetic patients find they have side effects when taking diabetes pills.
Metformin
Metformin is a biguanide antidiabetic medication that slows glucose production in the liver and slows the amount of glucose the intestines absorb. It also makes the body more sensitive to the insulin it naturally produces. One of the major side effects of metformin is the potential for lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis is the buildup of too much acid from lactate in the body. Acidosis occurs when the body makes lactate from glucose faster than it can be absorbed. This causes a severe drop in the pH of the body. Symptoms of lactic acidosis include abdominal pain and deep, rapid breathing. Patients who have liver or kidney failure should not take metformin. Those who abuse alcohol, have heart problems or lung problems should also avoid metformin.
Rosiglitazone
Rosiglitazone is another oral medication used in Type 2 diabetes. Rosiglitazone works by increasing the body's sensitivity to naturally produced insulin. Because of post-marketing studies and anecdotal reports, rosiglitazone carries a U.S. Food and Drug Administration black box warning. It is associated with causing or exacerbating congestive heart failure in patients taking rosiglitazone. Patients on this medication should be watchful for signs of congestive failure such as swelling of the hands, ankles or feet, breathing difficulties and/or rapid weight gain. According to RxList.com, some studies have associated rosiglitazone with an increased risk of myocardial ischemia causing chest pain and/or heart attacks. Other studies have not been able to confirm or deny the risk.
Sitagliptin
Sitagliptin is a relatively new oral diabetic medication. It works by inducing the pancreas to release more insulin and it also signals the liver to quit making glucose. According to Drugs.com, there are post-marketing reports of acute pancreatitis including hemorrhagic and necrotizing pancreatitis. Patients taking sitaliptin should be monitored for signs of pancreatitis such as the acute onset of severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Patients with kidney insufficiency will need their dose of stigliptin adjusted.
