Duetact Alternatives (Cont.)

Duetact Alternatives: Oral Diabetes Medicines

Fortunately, many other different types of oral diabetes drugs are available to treat type 2 diabetes, including:
 
  • Sulfonylureas
  • Biguanides
  • Meglitinides
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Alpha glucosidase inhibitors
  • Dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors
  • Combination medications.
     
Duetact is a combination of a thiazolidinedione (pioglitazone) and a sulfonylurea (glimepiride).
 
Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureas are medications that force the pancreas to make more insulin. Because of this, they are effective in controlling blood sugar, but are also more likely to cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). These medications include:
 
Biguanides
Metformin (Fortamet®, Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glumetza®, Riomet®) is the only biguanide medication currently available to treat type 2 diabetes. It works by helping the body use its natural insulin better. It also decreases sugar (glucose) production by the liver and decreases sugar absorption from the diet.
(Duetact Alternatives Continued: Page 3)
Pages:

Previous 1   2   3   4 Next

Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;