Insulin is not the only type of injectable diabetes medication that doctors prescribe to patients. Other medications include:
Abirutide
- Introduction: This is a man-made hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). It is normally released in the intestines when people eat. It helps control blood sugar.
- For: Adults with type 2 diabetes who have had difficulty with other treatments. Consult your doctor during pregnancy preparation, as researchers have not started studies on this medicine in pregnant women.
- Effect: When taken, abilify helps the pancreas produce insulin, which moves blood sugar (glucose) into the cells. Abilutide also limits the body’s ability to make too much glucagon. This substance stimulates the liver to release stored sugar. The drug slows down digestion.
- Side effects: The most common symptoms are upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, nausea, and skin reactions at the injection site. All GLP-1 drugs, including albiglutide, have a black box warning stating that the drug has been linked to thyroid cancer in certain rats and mice in animal studies. However, experts have not yet clarified whether the drug will have the same effect on humans. Another side effect can lead to severe pancreatitis.
Exenatide
- Introduction: Exenatide is the first GLP-1 drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some require twice daily injections. The new extended-release form, however, requires only one injection per week. Patients cannot use both drugs at the same time.
- For: Adult patients with type 2 diabetes who have had difficulty with other treatments. Consult your doctor during pregnancy preparation, as investigators have not started a study of this drug in pregnant women.
- How it works: Like other GLP-1 drugs, exenatide stimulates the pancreas to make insulin, which moves glucose from the blood into the cells. The drug limits the body’s ability to make too much glucagon. This substance stimulates the liver to release stored sugar. The drug may also slow down digestion.
- Side effects: The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, nervousness, dizziness, headache, stomach acidity, constipation, and weakness. These symptoms usually disappear in the first month after treatment. Another side effect can lead to severe pancreatitis.
The FDA has also received reports of kidney failure in patients using this drug. All GLP-1 drugs, including both types of exenatide, have black box warnings stating that the drug has been linked to thyroid cancer in certain rats and mice in animal studies. Experts do not yet know if the drug will have the same effect in humans. Hypoglycemia or drug allergies may also occur.
Liraglutide
- Introduction: This is another GLP-1 drug that is injected once a day. It prompts the body to produce more insulin, which helps transfer glucose from the blood to the cells.
- Who it is for: Adult patients with type 2 diabetes who have had difficulty with other treatments. May be used in combination with metformin or a sulfonylurea. Consult your doctor during pregnancy preparation, as researchers have not started a study of this drug in pregnant women.
- Effect: Like other GLP-1 drugs, liraglutide stimulates the release of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into the cells. The drug limits the body’s ability to make too much glucagon, a substance that stimulates the liver to release stored sugar. The drug also slows down digestion.
- Side effects: The most common symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, and headache. Another side effect can lead to severe pancreatitis.
All GLP-1 drugs, including liraglutide, contain black box warnings in their instructions stating that the drug has been linked to thyroid cancer in certain rats and mice in animal studies. Experts do not yet know if the drug will have the same effect in humans.
When liraglutide is used, the drug may produce an allergic reaction or cause hypoglycemia. If you become dehydrated from nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, it may eventually lead to kidney failure.
Pramlintide
- Introduction: This is a man-made hormone called pancreatic amyloid polypeptide, which is produced by the pancreas along with insulin when blood sugar levels rise.
- Who it is for: Approved for use in people with type 1 diabetes who are using mealtime insulin. It may also be used in people with type 2 diabetes who are using mealtime insulin. Consult your doctor during pregnancy preparation, as this drug has not been studied by investigators in pregnant women.
- Effect: Pramlintide and insulin are taken before meals. These two drugs work together to lower blood sugar. Pramlintide helps slow down the digestion of food to reduce the amount of sugar in the blood. Not only does it control glycated hemoglobin levels, but it also helps to reduce appetite and consume less food.
- Side effects: The most common symptom is nausea. Starting with a low dose and slowly increasing the dose can help fight the nausea. Other side effects include loss of appetite, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, dizziness, or indigestion. This medicine can also cause hypoglycemia if the amount of insulin taken is not adjusted.
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Dulaglutide
- Introduction: This is another GLP-1 drug that is injected once a week. It prompts the body to produce more insulin, which helps move glucose from the blood into the cells.
- Who it is for: Adult patients with type 2 diabetes who have had difficulty with other treatments. Patients should continue dietary control and exercise, either with this medicine alone or in combination with metformin, pioglitazone, or a sulfonylurea. Consult your doctor during pregnancy preparation, as investigators have not initiated studies of this drug in pregnant women.
- Effect: Like other GLP-1 drugs, dulaglutide stimulates the pancreas to release insulin, which moves glucose from the blood into the cells. The drug limits the body’s ability to make too much glucagon. This substance stimulates the liver to release stored sugar and may also slow digestion.
- Side effects: The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. All GLP-1 drugs, including dulaglutide, have black box warnings stating that the drug has been linked to thyroid cancer in certain rats and mice in animal studies. Experts do not yet know if the drug could have the same effect in humans.
Smelutide
- Introduction: This is a long-acting GLP-1 drug that is injected once a week. It prompts the body to produce more insulin and moves glucose from the blood into the cells.
- For: Adults with type 2 diabetes who have had difficulty with other treatments, and people with a high risk of cardiovascular and kidney disease. Researchers have not studied this drug in pregnant women or in adolescents under 18 years of age.
- How it works: Stimulates the pancreas to make insulin, which moves glucose from the blood into the cells. The drug limits the body’s ability to make too much glucagon. This substance stimulates the liver to release stored sugar and also slows digestion. Because of the drug’s effect of reducing hunger and lowering food cravings and body fat, combined with exercise, it has been successful in treating obesity.
- Side effects: Common symptoms include mild to moderate nausea, loss of appetite, and eye problems.