Oral Diabetes Medications
Usually, people with Type 1 diabetes don't use oral medications. These medications work best in people with Type 2 diabetes who have had high blood sugar for less than ten years and who have normal weight or obesity. It's not uncommon for oral medication to control blood sugar well for years and then stop working. Some people who begin treatment with oral medications eventually need to take insulin.
Sulfonylureas
Until 1994, sulfonylureas were the only oral medications for diabetes available in the US. These medications act to force your pancreas to make more insulin, which then lowers your blood sugar.
For this medication to work, your pancreas has to make some insulin. If your pancreas makes no insulin at all, you aren't a good candidate for this class of drugs. Also, if you have an allergy to sulfa drugs you should probably avoid sulfonylureas.
4 Corners Pharmacy is able to supply the following medications which are classified as Sulfonlyreas.
Minidiab which is sold in the US under the brand name Glucotrol.
Gliben Sold in the US under the brand names Diabeta and Glynase
(Generic of Glibenclamide / Glyburide in the US)
Rastinon (Tolbutamide) which is sold in the US under the brand Names Orinase and Tol-Tab
Tolbutamide increases insulin secretion from the pancreas (organ that produces insulin) and may make tissues more sensitive to insulin
4 Corners Pharmacy can also supply Glynase XL, a sustained release generic glucotrol that is more affordable than the branded medication.
Biguanides
Glucophage
Metformin hydrochloride
The generic (non-brand) name of this drug is metformin. It helps lower blood sugar by making sure your liver doesn't make too much sugar. Metformin also lowers the amount of insulin in your body. You may lose a few pounds when you start to take metformin. This weight loss can help you control your blood glucose. Metformin can also improve blood fat and cholesterol levels, which are often high if you have Type 2 diabetes.
4 Corners Pharmacy also supplies two generic alternatives to Glucophage.
These are Metomin and Glyciphage.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
There are now two alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, acarbose and miglitol. Both medications block the enzymes that digest the starches you eat.
4 Corners Pharmacy is able to supply the medication Arcarbose which is sold in the US under the brand name Glucobay.
Acarbose / Glucobay
Thiazolidinediones
The generic names for these medications are pioglitazone and troglitazone. The medication works by helping make your cells more sensitive to insulin. The insulin can then move glucose from your blood into your cells for energy.
4 Corners Pharmacy is able to supply
Actos - Pioglitazone Hydrochloride
Actos treats type 2 diabetes by reducing the resistance your body has to insulin.
Pioglar - Generic Actos
Pioglar contains exactly the same amount of the active ingredient, Pioglitazone Hydrochloride, but is able to be supplied at a more affordable price than the branded Actos.
Avandia (rosiglitazone)
4 Corners Pharmacy can also supply Generic Avandia at a more affordable price
If you take pioglitazone or rosiglitazone, it is important for your health care provider to check your liver enzyme levels regularly. Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of liver disease, which include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, lack of appetite, tiredness, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, or dark-colored urine.
Medications in this group don't cause blood sugar to drop too tow. But if you take other diabetes medications along with pioglitazone or rosiglitazone, your blood sugar might drop too low.
If you take birth control pills, medications in this group might make your birth control pills less effective in preventing pregnancy.
You may be at risk for developing anemia which will make you feel tired. Anemia causes your blood to carry less oxygen than normal.
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