Anyone who is either personally living with diabetes or has a close friend or family member coping with the disease understands what an imposition the condition can be in your daily life. Although it may not help you personally, you can rest assured that you’re far from alone. Roughly 37.3 million Americans – 11.3 percent of the population – are living with diabetes.

If any silver lining can be found in that high rate of the illness, it’s that doctors and the medical industry in general have invested a lot of time, energy and resources into combating diabetes. A diverse variety of tools and medications have been developed to help patients live normal, productive lives while managing their condition.



If you’re one of the estimated 13.5 percent of Houston residents who are living with diabetes, the team at St. Hope Healthcare can help.

What Role Does Medication Play in Diabetes Management?

While there are a variety of lifestyle and diet changes diabetics should be making to manage their condition, those non-medicinal approaches often aren’t adequate on their own. The key in diabetes management is maintaining blood sugar within the optimal range. There are a variety of medications and tools that enable people with diabetes to monitor and manage their blood sugar so they can live a normal life.

Type 1 Diabetes: Insulin is Key

The bodies of people with type 1 diabetes simply can't produce insulin. Unlike people with type 2 diabetes, who can sometimes make progress toward managing or even defeating the condition with lifestyle and diet changes, those with type 1 diabetes require medicinal assistance to live normally.

Insulin Types and How They Work

• Rapid-acting insulin: Starts working in 15 minutes, peaking at one hour
• Long-acting insulin: Works steadily without a peak
  
  

Type 2 Diabetes: A Variety of Medication Options

Not every person with type 2 diabetes will need insulin. However, every patient and situation is different. Be sure to discuss your options with your primary care physician and specialists.

Metformin: The First Line of Defense

Metformin reduces glucose production in the liver. Managing the liver’s glucose production improves your body’s insulin resistance. Although metformin isn’t the first choice for doctors treating patients with prediabetes, it is sometimes prescribed off-label to patients with a high risk for developing the condition.

Sulfonylureas: Boosting Insulin Production

One of the oldest diabetes drugs, initially gaining popularity in the 1950s, sulfonylureas essentially stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin. This is another medication that simply isn’t effective for people with type 1 diabetes who are incapable of producing insulin on their own.

DPP-4 Inhibitors: Tweaking the Insulin Pathway

DPP-4 Inhibitors are newer entrants in the field of diabetes management and are typically taken as oral tablets once a day. Sitagliptin and other versions of this medication help raise insulin levels after meals and lower glucose levels.

The Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists are injectable drugs that mimic the functions of the natural hormones in the gut to lower post-meal blood sugar levels. These medications slow digestion and improve blood sugar control. Exenatide is a commonly prescribed option.

SGLT2 Inhibitors: A Different Approach

SGLT2 Inhibitors are innovative in their approach to treating diabetes as they focus on the kidneys' role in glucose regulation, a departure from many traditional diabetes medications. Canagliflozin and other medications in this class work by prompting the kidneys to excrete sugar from the body through urine.

Potential Side Effects of Diabetes Medications

Like all medications, those for diabetes come with side effects. These can range from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) to gastrointestinal issues. There is rarely a single solution to effectively manage type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Sometimes, a combination of medications can provide better blood sugar control than one medication on its own. It’s important to do your best to follow your doctor’s instructions and to discuss potential risks or drug interactions with your pharmacist.  

Importance of Regular Monitoring

At a pharmacy, individuals with diabetes can find a range of monitoring equipment to aid in managing their condition. Blood glucose meters, often paired with test strips, allow users to quickly check their sugar levels at any given time.

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) offer real-time tracking and provide insights into glucose trends throughout the day.

Lancets and lancing devices ensure a virtually pain-free finger prick for blood sampling.

In most cases, patients are not required to use one specific testing or monitoring approach. You should talk with a pharmacist about your options and consider trying each to find the one that best fits your needs, lifestyle and budget.

Lifestyle, Diet and Medication: The Triad of Diabetes Management

While medication is crucial, a balanced diet and regular physical activity play equally significant roles in managing diabetes. The team at St. Hope Healthcare, including the staff at our six Houston-area pharmacies, work together to help local patients manage their conditions. Contact us or visit one of our pharmacies today for assistance.