In Part-1
of this series covered what Type-2 diabetes is. In Part-2, we narrated possible effects of
diabetes and how to measure diabetes.
In this last Part-3, we discuss medications that help one control diabetes. We focus on a drug called Metformin.
Metformin
Metformin is considered the first
line of defense for people with the condition, as it is safe, effective, and
affordable. It’s not linked to weight gain and it puts very little stress on
the internal organs. But metformin has
side effects for some people. Metformin doesn’t immediately lower your blood
sugar. It can take four or five days to experience the full benefit, depending
on your dosage.
Metformin, which is also sold under
the trade names Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza, and Riomet,
is of the class of drugs called biguanides, which inhibit the production of
glucose in the liver.
How does metformin work?
Metformin does not increase insulin levels in
the body, but instead lessens the amount of sugar the body produces and
absorbs. As it lowers glucose production in the liver, metformin also lowers
blood sugar by increasing the body’s sensitivity to insulin. It also decreases
the amount of glucose that our bodies absorb from the foods we eat.
Metformin is considered a safe,
cheap, and effective medication worldwide, and is widely accessible in most
countries.
Metformin does cause side effects in some people, but many of
these are mild, and are associated with taking the medicine for the first time.
Nausea and gastric distress such as stomach pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea
are somewhat common among people starting up on metformin.
People who experience mild gastric side
effects when they start taking metformin find the side effects go away if they drop
my carbs to 30-50 grams per day. If the side effects are severe and persist,
switching to extended-release version of metformin can keep the symptoms of the
side effects at bay.
When one takes
metformin for the first time, the body may react as though the blood sugar
level has fallen too low (hypoglycemia – below 70mg/dl). Measurements of glucose levels need to be
done to make sure that the body’s reaction is “faux low” or real.
Note that especially for type 2
folks who are on metformin and insulin or sulfonylureas (drugs
that make pancreas to secrete more insulin), hypoglycemia is a real risk. There
will be times when you do need to treat hypoglycemia with glucose tablets or
orange juice or the like.
If you are a person with type 2 diabetes, there are plenty of benefits to taking Metformin
for its original, intended purpose. Its side effects are minimal for most
people. It’s affordable and covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. It
helps the body to process insulin.
Metformin acts to reduce
production of glucose by the liver where semaglutide increases production of
insulin to metabolize glucose.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus, is
an anti-diabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Semaglutide acts like human glucagon-like peptide-1 such that it increases
insulin secretion, thereby increasing sugar metabolism.