Diabetic tablets and pills are available for people with type II diabetes, a chronic condition affecting how the body metabolizes glucose. This condition is characterized by a decrease in the production of insulin or a resistance to insulin. Untreated abnormal glucose levels can be life-threatening. While not curable, diabetes can be managed through maintaining a healthy weight, eating right, exercising and the use of prescribed medications. Medication can include insulin or diabetic pills, or both.
Sulfonylurea Drugs
In use since the 1950s, sulfonylurea drugs help the pancreas release additional insulin and helps the body to better use the insulin it makes. Several generations of these drugs are available; chlorpropamide is the only one of the first-generation drugs still prescribed. Other later sulfonylureas include glipizide, glyburide and glimepiride. Generally, these drugs are taken before meals, once or twice a day.
Meglitinide Drugs
Meglitinides stimulate your pancreas to create more insulin right after meals, which lowers blood glucose. Generic names for meglitinides include repaglinide and nateglinide. These medications work quickly, lowering blood glucose within an hour and leaving the bloodstream within 3 to 4 hours. Side effects include hypoglycemia and weight gain.
Biguanide Drugs
Often the first drugs given to newly-diagnosed diabetics, metformin lowers blood glucose by keeping the liver from making too much glucose. Metformin also lowers the amount of insulin in your body and can improve cholesterol and blood fat levels. It's generally taken 2 to 3 times per day. Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, weakness, difficulty breathing and a metallic taste in the mouth.
Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, known as acarbose and miglitol, block the enzymes that digest the starches in foods such as pasta, potatoes, bread and table sugar. The result is a slower and lower rise of glucose after meals and throughout the day. These medications are generally taken with the first bite of each meal. Side effects might include gas, diarrhea and bloating. These generally recede after a short time.
Thiazolidinedione Drugs
Thiazolidinediones, sold as pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, increase the cells' sensitivity to insulin so that the insulin can move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells. These tablets are usually taken once or twice a day. Side effects may include swelling in the legs or ankles, anemia, weight gain and reduced efficacy for birth control pills. Also, blood sugar levels should be checked regularly when taking thiazolidinediones. There appears to be an increase in the risk for heart failure in some individuals taking these medications.
DPP-4 Inhibitors
A new class of medications, DPP-4 inhibitors reduce blood glucose levels by preventing the breakdown of the naturally-occurring compound, GLP-1. This category of medication tends to have a neutral or positive effect on cholesterol levels.
