Diabetic Living - Fall 2006

(special REPORT Continued from page 24

(common diabetes oral medications)

Do you know what you’re taking and why? Check your prescription bottles, then read up on how your particular medications work.

DRUG CLASS

GENERIC NAME

TRADE NAME

Sulfonylurea

Glyburide

Glipizide Glimepuride

Glynase Prestabs
Diabeta
Micronase
Glucotrol
Amaryl

Meglitinide

Repaglinide Nateglinide

Prandin Starlix

Biguanide

Metformin

Glucophage Fortamet XR Riomet Liquid

Thiazolidinedione

Pioglitazone Rosiglitazone

Actos Avandia

Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitor

Acarbose Miglitol

Precose Glyset

Hormone Mimics

Exenatide Pramlintide

Byetta Symlin

Hormone
Mimics

Two new exciting drugs for treating diabetes work

in entirely different ways to get your blood glucose under control. Exenatide (Byetta) and pramlintide (Symlin) both mimic the activity of specific natural hormones in your body that are necessary to glucose metabolism.

Exenatide was developed
based on the glucose-lowering

effects of the saliva of a lizard,
the Gila monster. It mimics the
incretin hormone produced by
the human body. This incretin
effect enhances how much
insulin is secreted in response
to food, so you should take
it before eating a meal. One
drawback is that exenatide is
only currently available as an
injection for people with type
2 diabetes. It should be taken
twice daily, an hour before the
morning and evening meals. An
added benefit is that exenatide

also slows stomach emptying and has been shown to decrease appetite, which means it can be helpful in promoting weight loss. It can be used in conjunction with other drugs. Exenatide’s most common adverse effect is nausea, but it may also cause dizziness and headache. Store it in the refrigerator, as you would insulin.

Pramlintide’s formulation is based on a hormone found in the body called amylin. This hormone is secreted along with insulin. It performs functions in the body that enable insulin to function more efficiently. These actions include slowing stomach emptying, keeping the body from producing glucose, and suppressing appetite. Pramlintide can be used by people who have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes and, like exenatide, is available only by injection. Pramlintide should be taken before a large meal (containing more than

30 grams of carbohydrates).

Side effects can include nausea, dizziness, and hypoglycemia. Because pramlintide can cause hypoglycemia, you should monitor your blood glucose levels more frequently, especially when you first start taking it.

What’s Ahead Many more important drugs loom on the horizon to treat diabetes in various stages of research and approval. If you haven’t found one that works ideally yet, keep an eye on the very near future.