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Conventional Treatment Options For Diabetes And Insulin Resistance

Metformin is a newer conventional pharmaceutical drug used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Increased exercise and dietary improvements (especially reducing dietary carbohydrate intake) can help with weight loss. Experts suggest losing 2-7% of body weight can be enough to achieve normal blood glucose levels. Both of these lifestyle changes can also help break the detrimental metabolic cycle of diabetes by: 30

Early diagnosis is also important for long-term success in managing diabetes. That's because metabolic imbalances are usually less acute and blood glucose levels lower. Less severe symptoms are easier to stabilize. 30

Medication options include: 115, 116

Conventional Drug Treatments for Diabetes

CONVENTIONAL DRUGS TO TREAT DIABETES

AGENT

WHAT IT DOES
Amylin Agonists
(e.g., pramlintide)

Question: How do amylin agonist diabetes drugs work?

Answer: Diabetes drugs like pramlintide inhibit glucose production by slowing how fast the stomach empties.
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
(DPP-4 inhibitors, also known as gliptides)

Question: How do gliptides work?

Answer: Gliptides can help people with diabetes by:

  • Stimulating insulin secretion.
  • Suppressing glucose secretion.
Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Agonists
(GLP-1 agonists e.g., exenatide and Trulicity®)

Question: How do GLP-1 agonists work?

Answer: Diabetes drugs like Trulicity® have the following effects:

  • Stimulates increased production of insulin.
  • Lowers blood sugar levels.
  • Acts to depress appetite.
Insulin

Question: How does insulin work?

Answer: Insulin rapidly lowers blood glucose levels and there is no maximum dosage, but it can cause weight gain.
Metformin

Question: How does metformin treat diabetes?

Answer: Metformin has the following effects:

  • Decreases sugar output from liver.
  • Lowers fasting blood sugar levels.
  • May cause kidney (renal) dysfunction.
Sulfonylureas and Glinides

Question: How do sulfonylurea and glinide drugs help treat diabetes?

Answer: Sulfonylureas and glinides have the following effects:

  • Stimulate increased production of insulin.
  • Lowers blood sugar levels.
  • Can cause hypoglycemia and moderate weight gain.
Thiazolidinediones
(e.g., rosiglitazone and pioglitazone)

Question: How do thiazolidinedione drugs help treat diabetes?

Answer: Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone have the following effects:

  • Increase the sensitivity of muscle, fat and liver cells to insulin, enabling cells to utilize more blood glucose.
  • Can cause weight gain and fluid retention.
  • Increased risk for congestive heart failure.
Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors
(starch blockers)

Question: How do starch blockers help treat diabetes?

Answer: Starch blockers have the following effects:

  • Slow down the digestion of carbohydrates.
  • Inhibits the release of glucose into the bloodstream.
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