Managing Diabetes Medications

Topics What medications are available to –Manage diabetes? –Lower blood pressure? –Improve cholesterol? How can you keep track of your medications?

Medications Most people with diabetes need medications to reach their target blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol (ABC) targets.

Medications: Blood Glucose Pills –Different types of diabetes pills work in different ways to manage blood glucose –Work only for those with type 2 diabetes

Medications: Blood Glucose Insulin –Different types work at different rates and lengths of time –Used daily by all with type 1 diabetes –Needed by some with type 2 diabetes to reach blood glucose targets

Medications: Blood Glucose Medication option plans for type 2 diabetes: –One type of diabetes pill –Two types of diabetes pills –Diabetes pill(s) plus insulin

Medications: Blood Glucose There is no "best" pill or treatment for type 2 diabetes. You may need to try more than one type of pill, combination of pills, or pills plus insulin.

Medications: Blood Glucose Diabetes pills work best when used together with meal planning and exercise. The combination of all three work together to lower your blood glucose levels.

Medications: Blood Glucose Will diabetes pills work for you? Your chances are low if you: – have had diabetes for more than 10 years or – take more than 20 units of insulin each day Your chances are good if you: –developed diabetes recently or –have needed little or no insulin to keep your blood glucose levels near normal

Medications: Blood Glucose Diabetes pills sometimes stop working after a few months or years. cause is often unknown does not mean your diabetes is worse when happens, oral combination therapy may help or insulin may be needed

Medications: Blood Pressure Many people need one or more medications to lower blood pressure Type of medications: –Diuretics –ACE inhibitors –Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) –Beta blockers –Calcium channel blockers

Medications: Blood Pressure Some blood pressure medications protect your kidneys from disease and reduce the risk for a heart attack or stroke. Your health care provider will help determine which medicines are best for you.

Medications: Cholesterol Medications are used when your cholesterol levels cannot be managed through meal planning and exercise Type of medications: –Statins –Bile acid sequestrants –Fibric acids –Nicotinic acid –Cholesterol absorption inhibitors

Medications: Cholesterol Statins are the most effective cholesterol-lowering drugs: – help to reduce the amount of cholesterol your body naturally produces – reduce heart attacks and stokes

Aspirin A daily low-dose aspirin lowers the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Works by thinning your blood so it is less likely to clot. Ask your health care team if you should be taking low-dose aspirin every day.

Your Medications You may need multiple medicines to manage your ABCs. The more medications you take the harder it is to keep track of them.

Medication Basics Know the basics about each of your medicines:  Name and what it is for?  How long does it take to work?  How much to take? When to take? How many times a day?  Should I take on empty stomach or with food?  How does it affect my blood glucose level?

Medication Basics Know the basics about each of your medicines:  Are there side effects? What should I do if I have side effects?  What if I miss a dose?  How should it be stored?  How long will this supply last? What about refills?

Keeping Track of Medicines Write down all of your medications:

Medications Take your medicines as recommended If not taking, think about the reasons:  Unpleasant side effects?  Too expensive?  Hard to remember to take?  Other? Tell your health care team and ask for help.

Medications Tell all of your health care providers about your medicines and supplements Some combinations of prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines and dietary supplements can be harmful.

Remembering Your Medicines Try using a pill organizer with sections for each day of the week. Link taking pills to something in your daily routine (e.g., after brushing your teeth). Use a chart to check off when you’ve taken your medicines.

Review What medications do you take? How do you keep track of your medications?

For More Information For more information on diabetes, please call DIABETES or visit diabetes.org

For More Information Contact your local ADA at DIABETES to learn about activities and volunteer opportunities in your community