Diabetes Drugs Questions

1. Can a type 1 diabetic take an insulin-resistence drug in addition to insulin to better control blood glucose?

   No. That would be considered off label. Type 1 diabetes is an insulin deficiency issue. Although some type 1s may be overweight and at risk for insulin resistance, it may seem logical to consider medications to reduce that resistance thereby improving glucose control while continuing to take insulin injections...
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2. Can I make insulin substitutions to control my blood sugar?

   With your doctor's authorization you should be able to switch from 75/25 to 70/30. You may need an adjustment in the amount of units taken as the action profile is different (when your new insulin peaks - or is working at its strongest). This is important to know as your risk for lows with the 70/30...
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3. Can type 2 diabetes go away on it's own?

   For overweight individuals with type 2 diabetes, a modest 5 to 7 percent weight loss often helps to control the disease, but not make it go away.
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4. What if my blood sugar drops too low at night?

   You are doing many things right! You are taking your insulin, checking your glucose, being mindful of what you eat and problem solving to prevent going low!
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5. Will a type 2 diabetic always have to take oral medication?

   This is a good question!
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6. What can I do to get my mom to take her diabetes pills, which she doesn't think are keeping her blood sugar in check?

   First, try to find out why your mother has stopped taking her diabetes drugs. Maybe she's recently been diagnosed and is still in denial about her condition or doesn't like the inconvenience of routine pill taking. Or perhaps she experiences uncomfortable side effects, such as severe low blood sugar, from her prescription pills...
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7. Should my dad, who's scheduled to have an operation unrelated to his diabetes, keep up his normal diabetes routine?

   Your dad should frequently monitor his blood glucose immediately prior to the surgery. Stress can play havoc on his blood sugar and having an operation is a stressful event. He also needs to ask his anesthesiologist which medications he should continue on the day of surgery...
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8. Does it matter when my dad takes his diabetes pills?

   Absolutely. Some diabetes medications, including a class of drugs known as sulfonylureas, should be taken before meals, as they're specifically designed to help the pancreas secrete more insulin. Examples of these prescription pills include tolbutamide (brand name Orinase), glipizide (Glucatrol), glyburide...
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9. Can the new drug Symlin help my overweight dad with diabetes?

   The medication pramlintide (brand name: Symlin) may be an excellent addition to your dad's drug regimen if he already takes mealtime insulin and wants better blood sugar control after eating. Symlin is a synthetic hormone that mimics the actions of a hormone secreted by the pancreas, called amylin, which helps insulin work better...
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10. How long is a bottle of NovoLog insulin good for?

    An unopened vial of NovoLog insulin is good until the expiration date (it is best stored in the refrigerator).
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11. Will lumps under my injection site go away?

    Technically called lipodystrophy, the lump or small dent in the skin from repeated injections, may resolve if you give those areas a rest and inject elsewhere. If you continue to inject into those "lumps" on your stomach, the insulin absorption may vary significantly.
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12. Must I take both meds for my diabetic foot pain?

    Metanx and Cymbalta work in different, yet synergistic ways.
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13. Can a new diabetes drug also help my mother lose weight?

    Exenatide (brand name: Byetta) is a safe and effective medication for people with type 2 diabetes. It's approved for use in people who are currently taking metformin, a sulfonylurea, a thiazolidinedione, or a combination of these oral diabetes drugs...
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14. What do I do when blood sugar high?

    If your glucose is too high, and you cannot lean on the exercise department to help lower it, then the next step is to discuss medication options with your healthcare provider. The pain associated with surgery could be the cause for your higher glucose levels. Once you are back on your feet, your medications would be adjusted again...
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15. How can I encourage my wife, who has diabetes, to exercise more?

    Motivation to change is personal. Your wife has to want to exercise -- you can't do it for her. What you can do is set up an environment that gives her opportunities to be more active. But resist the temptation to transform from husband to athletic director. Such behavior will likely just backfire...
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16. Does Avandia cause anemia?

    Case studies have show that Anemia can be a side affects of the medication Avandia used to help control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes. The case study showed that 1.9 percent of the people taking Avandia had Anemia as a side affect if the drug. Avandia did have several other side affects that as well as some that pertain only to woman...
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17. Does Avandia cause low platelet count?

    Avandia is the motst widely tested and used type 2 diabetes medicine. It is recommended with healty eating and exercise. There are side effects that related to blood flow but does not seem to cause low platelet count in the patient's blood...
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18. Does Avandia cause psoriasis?

    Psoriasis is not listed as one of the side effects of Avandia. None of the side effects listed are skin related as it concerns Avandia. Some of the side effects that Avandia causes are upper respiratory infections which give off a cold and flu like effect. Another side effect is broken bones in women...
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19. Is Avandia still on the market?

    Avandia, a drug manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline for the treatment of diabetes, was first approved by the FDA in May 1999, and it is still on the market. In 2002, new warnings were printed on the labels for Avandia noting that the risk of heart failure increased when using the drug...
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20. Is Avandia used to treat dementia?

    Avandia is used to increase insulin sensitivity in individuals suffering from insulin resistance. There is currently no approved, on-label use for Avandia in dementia. However, there is currently a study being conducted on the effects of Avandia on Alzheimer's patients. The study is currently underway and there are no conclusive results yet...
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