Diabetic Prescription Drug Information

I am posting a link to a summary of Diabetic Drug information. You can use this as a guideline for information about any drugs you may be already taking or that your doctor is suggesting you start taking. I would strongly advise using this as a guideline and do ADDITIONAL RESEARCH for your own peace of mind. Dan

KJV: Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Here is a link and excerpt from a site with more Diabetic Drug Information:

http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/17977284.php

EXCERPT:

Diabetes Drugs Quick Summary

The table below summarizes important information about the most commonly prescribed drugs for Type 2 Diabetes. Links to detailed discussions of these drugs and the research supporting the statements below can be found by scrolling to the bottom of this page. Insulin for Type 2 diabetes is discussed separately HEREPlease scroll down to see table. Diabetes Drug Summary Drug Mechanism Benefits Side Effects Rating Metformin, Metformin ER Keeps liver from dumping glucose. Makes muscles take up glucose. Reduces insulin resistance and lowers triglycerides. Appears to protect against breast cancer and lower risk of other cancers. Protects heart during heart attack and may prevent heart attack Gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea. May cause Vitamin-B12 deficiency with long use. Fewer side effects with ER/XR extended release form. Fear it causes lactic acidosis is not supported by high quality research. +++++ Avandia, (rosiglitazone) Avandamet (Avandamet is Avandia combined with metformin) Affects PPAR-gamma receptor Grows new fat cells that take up glucose. Reduces insulin resistance. 66% more heart attacks. Causes water retention. Causes weight gain. Causes heart failure. Causes osteoporosis. Causes macular edema ----- Actos (pioglitazone) Same as Avandia Reduces insulin resistance From Prescribing Information: "In post marketing experience with ACTOS, cases of congestive heart failure have been reported in patients both with and without previously known heart disease....In post marketing experience with ACTOS, reports of hepatitis and of hepatic enzyme elevations to 3 or more times the upper limit of normal have been received. Very rarely, these reports have involved hepatic failure with and without fatal outcome"Macular edema. Weight gain. Ovulation in premenopausal women. Raises LDL. ----- Precose (acarbose) Blocks alpha glucosidase enzyme used to break down starches and complex sugars Slows the digestion of carbs so that second phase insulin can deal with them Gas +++ Diamicron (gliclazide)--not sold in U.S. Sulfonylurea. Stimulates beta cell to secrete insulin for 8 - 12 hours whether or not glucose is present in bloodstream. The only sulfonylurea that does nto increase the risk of heart attack death Raises insulin level Can cause hypos. Causes hunger and weight gain May cause reversible beta cell burnout with prolonged use. Least heart attack risk of this class of drugs. + Amaryl (glimepiride), Glyburide, (Glucovance is glyburide with added metformin) Glucatrol, Diabeta (glipizide) Sulfonylurea. Stimulates beta cell to secrete insulin for 8 - 12 hours whether or not glucose is present in bloodstream Raises insulin level Stimulate receptors on heart tissue leading to higher rate of heart attacks --- Starlix (natalinide) Meglitinide. Stimulates beta cell to secrete insulin for 1-3 hours whether or not glucose is present in bloodstream Raises insulin level for a short time. Inhibits DPP-4 briefly Can cause hypos. Causes weight gain, upper respiratory infection, back pain, flu symptoms, dizziness, joint problems. - Prandin (repaglinide) Meglitinide. Stimulates beta cell to secrete insulin for 1-3 hours whether or not glucose is present in bloodstream Stimulates insulin secretionl for 1-3 hours. The most heart-safe insulin stimulating drug available in the U.S.. Can cause hypos. Same dose much more powerful when combined with metformin. Causes weight gain. Changes concentration of many other drugs including birth control pills in the bloodstream. May cause upper respiratory infection, back pain, flu symptoms, dizziness, joint problems. -- Byetta (exenatide) Bydureon is a long-lasting version of Byetta Synthetic GLP-1 Slows stomach emptying, which can lead to weight loss. Stimulates insulin secretion in intact beta cells. Very effective for 1/3 of those who take it, occasionally producing dramatic weight loss. Vomiting. Nausea. Chills. Headache. Weakness. Blood pressure fluctuations. Tooth pain. Constipation. Nasal congestion. Very rarely, is associated with pancreatitis. ++ Victoza Synthetic GLP-1 Slows stomach emptying, which can lead to weight loss. Stimulates insulin secretion in intact beta cells. Less effective than Byetta but causes far more side effects than Byetta. Label contains Black Box warning "Liraglutide injection may increase the risk that you will develop tumors of the thyroid gland, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC; a type of thyroid cancer), which may cause death if it is not treated at an early stage." May cause renal [kidney] impairment. Study shows it causes more serious rashes than Byetta. Vomiting. Nausea. Chills. Headache. Weakness. Blood pressure fluctuations. Tooth pain. Constipation. Nasal congestion. Very rarely, is associated with pancreatitis. ++ Januvia (sitagliptin) Janumet is Januvia combined with metformin Inhibits the DPP-4 protease allowing GLP-1 and GIP levels to rise and stimulate insulin secretion and decrease glucagon production. DPP-4 is also a tumor suppressor gene, so inhibition of DPP-4 may promote cancers. Stimulates insulin secretion in intact beta cells. Label warns it may cause pancreatitis, acute renal (kidney) failure, and severe allergic reactions including severe skin rashes. Cold symptoms, inflamed sinuses, raised blood pressure,constipation. Elevated leucocyte count. DPP-4 inhibition has been called "trigger for prostate cancer", also associated with metastasis in ovarian and lung cancers and melanoma. -- Onglyza (saxagliptin), Trajenta (linagliptin) Kombiglyze is Onglyza combined with metformin. Jentadueto is Trajenta and Metformin Inhibits the DPP-4 protease allowing GLP-1 and GIP levels to rise and stimulate insulin secretion and decrease glucagon production. DPP-4 is also a tumor suppressor gene, so inhibition of DPP-4 may promote cancers.. Stimulates insulin secretion in intact beta cells. Label warns these drugs may cause acute pancreatitis, severe allergic reactions. Commonly causes cold symptoms, inflamed sinuses, raised blood pressure,constipation. Lowers lymphocytes, sometimes dangerously. Concentration rises with grapefruit juice, ketoconazole, erythromycin, and verapamil. Raises peak concentrations of sulfonylureas, Actos and Avandia causing hypos. DPP-4 inhibition has been called "trigger for prostate cancer", also associated with metastasis in ovarian and lung cancers and melanoma. -- To read more about Metformin click HERE. For information on Acarbose, click HERE. For information on Amaryl, Glyburide, Prandin and Starlix, click HERE. For information on Byetta, click HERE. For information about Januvia, click HERE. For information about Onglyza, click HERE. For information about Avandia and Actos, click HERE. Insulin as prescribed for Type 2 Diabetes is discussed separately HERE.