Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) is seen characteristically in diabetes mellitus. In diabetes, there is a deficiency of the function of insulin, the principal hormone that controls the blood levels of glucose, leading to persistent high levels of glucose in the blood, also known as hyperglycemia. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), persistently high levels of glucose can lead to serious complications involving vital organs like the brain, heart, eyes and kidneys. Lifestyle modifications and, where necessary, medications are used to lower the blood levels of glucose in diabetic patients.
Insulin Injections
These are the main treatment of type 1 diabetes, where the body produces no insulin. They are also used in other types of diabetes. Insulin injections are used to provide the necessary insulin the body needs but lacks in some cases of diabetes. There are different formulations, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, based on the speed, peak and duration of action. Rapid-acting brands include NovoLog, Apidra and Humalog; short-acting brands are Humulin R and Novolin R; intermediate-acting brands are Humulin N and Novolin N; and long-acting types are Levemir and Lantus. Premixed combinations of the different formulations are Humulin 70/30, Humulin 50/50, Novolin 70/30, Humalog mix 70/30 and 50/50 and Novolog 70/30.
Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors
These slow down the breakdown of complex sugars to glucose in the intestine. The two brands in this class are Precose and Glycet.
Biguanides
The actions of biguanides include reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and reducing resistance to insulin in the cells. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, these are the recommended first choice of medications in drug management of hyperglycemia by the American Diabetes Association. The brands in this class are Glucophage (metformin), Glucophage XR and Riomet.
Meglitinides
These work by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin after meals. According to the American Diabetes Association, they are taken before each of the three meals of the day. The brands in this class include Starlix and Prandin.
Thiazolidinediones
The drugs in this class reduce insulin resistance, improving its function in reducing glucose production by the liver and glucose uptake by the muscles. The brands are Avandia (rosiglitazone) and Actos (pioglitazone).
DPP-4 Inhibitors
Januvia (sitagliptin), the only brand in this class, works indirectly to stimulate insulin production and reduce glucose release from the liver.
Sulfonylureas
According to the American Diabetes Association, these are the longest serving class of drugs in the treatment of hyperglycemia. They have been in use since the 1950s. They work by stimulating the body to produce insulin. Those currently in use are chlorpropamide (Diabenese), glyburide (Micronase, Glynase and DiaBeta), glipizide (Glucotrol and Glucotrol XL), glimepiride (Amaryl), tolazamide and tolbutamide.
Combination Diabetes Pills
Combinations of the different types of medications are also available. Some examples are Avandamet (Avandia and metformin), Glucovance (metformin and glyburide), Avandaryl (Avandia and Amaryl), Actoplus Met (Actos and metformin), Janumet (Januvia and metformin), Metaglip (metformin and glipizide) and Duetact (pioglitazone and glymepiride).
Other Medications
Byetta (exenatide) and Symlin (pramlintide) are the two brands of injectable medications used in type 2 diabetes that work by increasing insulin production, slowing the digestive process and even reducing appetite.
