Diabetes is a condition for which there is no cure, only treatment. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, an estimated 23.6 million Americans suffer from this disease. Two main types exist--Type I and Type II diabetes. A variety of medications exist to help manage this condition; these are categorized into insulins or oral medications. A doctor will prescribe the most appropriate medication depending on a patient's diagnosis.
Humalog
Humalog is a type of insulin used to treat both Type I and Type II diabetes. It is injected just below the skin and begins lowering blood sugar levels within 15 minutes. It's at its most effective within 30 to 90 minutes, and lasts for a period of three to five hours. Dr. Chris Woolston of ahealthyme.com states that Humalog needs to be injected 15 minutes before a meal, or immediately following a meal for maximum efficacy.
Humulin N
Another injectable type of insulin, Humulin N is considered an intermediate-acting insulin because of its ability to last longer in your body. It is typically prescribed for those with Type I diabetes and some with Type II. Although it takes between one and four hours to begin working, it's at its most effective four to 14 hours later, working for a total of 10 to 24 hours; this is two to five times as long as Humalog.
Lantus
Lantus is quite possibly one of the most effective forms of injectable insulins, as it works throughout the day, never peaking after a certain number of hours. This reduces the risk of your blood sugar dropping suddenly. Lantus begins taking effect approximately one-and-a-half hours after it is injected under the skin, and is effective for both Type I and Type II diabetes.
Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureas is a family of oral medications used to treat Type II diabetes for the past 40 years. Some of the drugs included in this drug family are glimepiride, glipizide and glyburide. They help control your blood sugar levels by increasing insulin production and assisting your body use it properly. The most common side effects of these drugs include low blood sugar, weight gain, upset stomach and an allergic reaction in patients who are allergic to sulfa medications.
Thiazolidinediones
Thiazolidinediones are another oral drug family used solely for the treatment of Type II diabetes, and works by increasing your cells sensitivity to insulin while decreasing the amount of glucose your liver produces. Two of the drugs that fall under this category are pioglitazone and rosiglitazone. Side effects you may encounter include weight gain and swelling. Liver problems is also associated with these drugs, therefore your doctor may need to perform routine blood tests to ensure your liver is functioning normally.
Biguanides
Biguanides are yet another type of oral medications used for Type II diabetes, controlling your condition by decreasing glucose production and increasing your body's glucose tolerance. Metformin is the most common drug in this class, and some of its side effects include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach discomfort if taken on an empty stomach.
