| An Overview of Medications for Diabetes Jon E. Sprague, Ph.D. August 13, 2001 Print-friendly version
Email this article | Page 1 | Insulin
| | Page 2 | Oral Hypoglycemic Agents (Sulfonylureas)
| | Page 3 | Meglitinides (Repaglinide, Prandin)
Biguanides (Metformin, Glucophage)
| | Page 4 | Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Thiazolidinediaones
Combination Products
| | Page 5 | Sources of Information
|
Insulin
Insulin is the mainstay for treatment of virtually all Type 1 and some Type 2 diabetes.
- How does this agent work?
- Insulin replaces your body's lacking insulin levels.
- Specific agents
- Short or Rapid Acting Insulins
- Zinc added as the carrier of insulin
- Regular
- Should be given 30 to 45 minutes before a meal
- Only form that can be used in a subcutaneous ("under the skin") pump; it is less likely to crystallize in the tubing
- Semilente
- Similar to regular however it has a longer duration of action
- Intermediate Acting Insulin
- Typically given once daily before breakfast, may be used twice a day
- NPH
- Lente
- Long Acting Insulin
- Ultralente
- Used to provide a low insulin level throughout the day
- Insulin Lispro (Humalog®)
- Rapid onset and decline more like the body's own insulin
- Absorbed in 5 minutes and peaks in 45 min
- Insulin Aspart (Novolog®)
- Rapid onset (less than 30 minutes) and peaks by 3 hours, with a duration of action of 3 to 5 hours
- Insulin Glargine (Lantus®)
- Long-acting insulin that provides up to 30 hour coverage
- Adverse effects...signs of hypoglycemia
- sweating
- tremors
- blurred vision
- weakness
- hunger
- increased heart rate
- headache
All the agents from this point on are used in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
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