Category: Diabetes 101

Fortamet: You suffer from diabetes and have tried a variety of other treatment medications that are currently on the market. Unfortunately, none of the other medications gave you the results that are needed to help lower your blood sugar. What other medications are there available to try? Fortamet is an oral diabetes medication that will help you manage your blood sugar levels. Fortamet is aimed at those individuals who have type II diabetes, it is not used for type I diabetes. You are able to use Fortamet with insulin or other medications to help treat diabetes.

What important information do I need to know before taking Fortamet? Your doctor should discuss all the details of Fortamet or any other medication you begin to take. You should inform your doctor of your medical history in order for them to determine if Fortamet is the right option for you. You shouldn’t take Fortamet if you have a history of kidney disease. If you begin to experience any type of Ketoacidosis reaction, you need to seed medical treatment. This is when you have dangerous levels of ketones in your body. Ketoacidosis a serious condition that can cause you to go into a diabetic coma if not treated properly; Fortamet is not a treatment for Ketoacidosis. Another factor to discuss with your doctor is if you have any history of liver or heart disease in your family. These too can be important factors to determine if you are a good candidate for taking Fortamet. It’s also wise to mention your taking of Fortamet to any doctor before testing is done. This is especially true if you have to have an x-ray taken or a CT scan performed, Fortamet may interfere with these kinds of medical testing if the doctor is not aware of your prescription.

When taking any sort of medication there are usually chances of side effects, Fortamet has the same factors to look out for. There is a certain amount of risk to be considered when taking Fortamet. It is possible while taking this medication to result in a life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis occurs when there is a build-up of lactic acids in the body. When taking Fortamet it’s important to pay attention to any unusual side effects such as weakness, increased sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold or numb feeling, muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, light headiness, and fainting. All of these are symptoms of lactic acidosis and should be treated by medical professionals.

Before taking any sort of medication it is important to let your doctor know if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. Certain medications can have adverse side effects on an unborn fetus or child. Also while taking Fortamet you should avoid consuming alcohol because it can cause your blood sugar to drop and may increase the risk of lactic acidosis while you are taking this Fortamet. There are also other side effects to watch for when taking this medication such as being short of breath, swelling, rapid weight gain, flu like symptoms, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and stomach pain among others not listed. If any of these are experienced it is vital to contact your doctor and to explain your condition.

What is Glimepiride? You’ve heard of so many different types of diabetes medications that you can’t keep them strait. What exactly does Glimepiride do and who can use it? Glimepiride is an oral pill or tablet that helps you manage your blood glucose levels. Glimepiride is suitable for those who have type II diabetes to use. This is not a wonder drug that ends your diabetes frustration. Glimepiride is meant to be taken in addition to diet and exercise in order to help lower blood glucose levels. Glimepiride can also be used in combination with insulin for those with type II diabetes who has hyperglycemia that can’t be managed by diet and exercise in conjunction with an oral diabetes medication. Usually Glimepiride is only prescribed after you have tried to manage your diabetes with exercise and diet alone with unsatisfactory results.

Much like any medication on the market today, there are reactions that can occur when taking Glimepiride. You may experience vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Skin reactions such as pruritus, erythema, urticaria, and maculopapular eruptions may occur as well. Blurred vision is also a side affect among others not listed that may occur when taking Glimepiride. If any of these symptoms are experienced while taking this medication you need to call your doctor. You also need to monitor your symptoms for hypoglycemia. Symptoms of hypoglycemia might include shakiness dizziness or lightheadedness, sweating, confusion, nervousness or irritability, sudden changes in behavior or mood, headache, numbness or tingling around the mouth, weakness, pale skin, sudden hunger, clumsy or jerky movements, and seizures. If this occurs it is important to eat or drink something with sugar in it.

You need to make sure that your doctor is aware of your medical history before taking this medication. It’s a clear indication that if you are allergic to Glimepiride then you shouldn’t be taking it. Also you are not a good candidate for this medication if you suffer from certain medical conditions such as metabolic conditions, liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, certain hormonal conditions, or mineral imbalances. If you have a history of any of these your doctor might recommend another form of treatment in order to avoid any unnecessary complications that occur if you took Glimepiride. It is really better to be safe and avoid the chances altogether.

You also need to inform you doctor if you are pregnant, planning on getting pregnant, or nursing your child. These too could exclude you from using Glimepiride due to the transfer of medication to the unborn fetus or child. If you don’t communicate your medical needs with your doctor you could be risking not only your health, but also the health of your child. Medications you are taking also need to be discussed with your doctor before taking Glimepiride due to any harmful drug interactions that could occur. This includes any supplements, vitamins, and over the counter medications. You might think they are safe to take while on Glimepiride, but you doctor will know better and be able to inform you of any health risks.

Glipizide, what is that? The name almost sounds like some new toy or video game that you would buy for your kids. So what exactly is Glipizde and what does it do? Glipizide is not any kind of toy, movie, or game. It is a medication to treat diabetes. It is an oral medication that helps to manage blood sugar levels. Glipizide is only for those who have type 2 diabetes. It is meant for those who are non insulin dependent. Glipizide is meant to be used in addition to diet and exercise, as well as any insulin treatments therapy when needed. So if you have tried countless other diabetes medications only to be disappointed with the results, or lack thereof; Glipizide might be the medication to help you lower your blood sugar levels.

So you’ve heard of this new diabetes treatment and want to ask your doctor about it. What else should you discuss with your doctor when you want to take Glipizide? Whenever you wish to explore the benefits of a new medication, it is imperative that you discuss all of your medical history with your doctor. This is so they will be educated and can decide if the medication in question is the right fit for you. When considering taking Glipizide, discuss whether you have had kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, a serious infection, illness, or injury, and if you need surgery. Any of these factors may help your doctor decide that Glipizide is not the best diabetes treatment for you.

It’s also vital to relay to your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breast feeding. It has not been determined whether or not Glipizide causes any long term effects on the fetus or your child when breastfeeding. It’s better to inform your doctor than to cause any risk to yourself or your child. When taking Glipizide it’s important to follow your doctor’s dosing instructions. It is not wise to take it upon yourself to change the amount of medication you are to take. You need to take this medication before meals and to swallow it whole, do not chew Glipizide. It is possible to overdose on this medication which is why you need to strictly follow dosage instructions.

When taking medication there are certain things that you might need to avoid. While taking Glipizide there are some things to watch out for. You need to make sure you are completing your diet and exercise regimen daily, if not your treatment might not be successful. It’s also important to avoid consuming alcohol, not only can alcohol have a negative impact while taking any type of medication, when taking Glipizide it causes your blood sugar to decline which will cause your treatment to be unsuccessful. It’s essential to inform any doctor that you are taking this medication before any type of surgery is performed. It is also wise to speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other type of medication, even if it is an over the counter product it still might interfere or be harmful while taking Glipizide.

Glucotrol: When you suffer from diabetes you are willing to try any form of safe medication that can help relieve your symptoms. With so many different types of medication, how do you know which one is right for you? You’ve heard of Glucotrol, but aren’t quite sure what it is or what is does exactly. Glucotrol is used to help manage blood sugar levels. Glucotrol is uses to treat type II diabetes, those who don’t rely on insulin. Glucotrol is not a wonder drug, to be effective it needs to be used in combination of a good diet, effective exercise plan, and might possibly need insulin therapy as well.

There are extremely important factors that you should consider before taking Glucotrol. First and foremost, when using Glucotrol it may increase your risk of death from cardiovascular disease. It’s important to know the risks before taking any type of new medication. You should thoroughly discuss both risks and benefits from taking Glucotrol. As with any diabetes medication, it’s important to be able to identify when you might have low blood sugar. Once you start taking Glucotrol you shouldn’t alter your dosage without consulting your doctor first. You should also stick to an approved diet and exercise routine and should avoid alcohol. Alcohol can decrease your blood sugar levels and hinder your diabetes treatments.

Before taking any type of new medication you should thoroughly discuss your medical history with your doctor. This should include whether you have a history of kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, which type of diabetes you have, any infections, illnesses, injuries, or any needs for surgery. Any of these factors could exclude you from taking Glucotrol. It’s also important to mention if you are pregnant or breast feeding since the side effects of Glucotrol are not yet known. If you choose exclude any pertinent information when talking to your doctor you could be putting yourself at risk of many preventable side effects or reactions while taking Glucotrol. It’s also important to mention any other medication you might be taking that could interact with Glucotrol.

So how exactly do you take Glucotrol, is it a shot or oral medication? Glucotrol is an oral medication that should be swallowed, not chewed up or crushed into foods or drink. This medication is a time release pill that should be taken with a full glass of water. Is there anything that you shouldn’t do if you decide to begin taking Glucotrol? Glucotrol is a diabetes medication, so you should do the things to help contribute to a healthy lifestyle such a taking your prescribed medication, exercising regularly, and eating properly. Any medication is not going to be effective if you aren’t living the way you are supposed to. You don’t want to participate in activities that risk changing you blood sugar levels such as drinking alcohol. You need to act responsibly to avoid disturbing your diabetes treatment. It’s also important to note that you need to discuss taking any over the counter medication with your doctor before taking it when using Glucotrol.

With a name like Glumetza, what exactly can you expect from this diabetes medication? What is it and what does it do? Glumetza is another type of oral diabetes medication that is solely for the use of those with type II diabetes. This is not a medication that will cure all your diabetes symptoms by taking a pill. Glumetza is a medication that has to be used in addition to other forms of keeping you diabetes at bay. While taking Glumetza you need to start or continue a regular exercise and diet regimen. When taken in addition to diet and exercise Glumetza can aid in blood sugar control in Adults who suffer from type II diabetes. When needed, Glumetza can also be sagely used in addition to other anti-diabetes medications. Glumetza helps your body in two different ways. It helps your body react better to the insulin that you naturally produce while lowering the quantity of sugar your liver produces. All of this helps significantly reduce amount of sugar your intestines absorb, in turn helping you live healthier.

Before taking Glumetza your doctor should inform you of the side effects that can be caused by taking this medication. There is a serious medical condition that can result from taking Glumetza. This medical condition is known as lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis can occur when there is a build-up of lactic acids in the body. When taking Glumetza it’s important to note any unusual side effects such as weakness, increased sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold or numb feeling, muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, light headiness, and fainting. All of these are symptoms of lactic acidosis and should be treated by medical professionals. Even if you are experiencing just a few of these symptoms it is wise to contact your doctor immediately.

There are pre-existing medical conditions that can add to your chance of developing lactic acidosis. These conditions are kidney or liver problems, congestive heart failure, consuming vast amounts of alcohol, becoming dehydrated, having certain medical tests performed while taking Glumetza, surgery, heart attack, or are eight years of age or older. There’s the chance that none of the factors will make you have lactic acidosis, but all of the factors need to be thoroughly discussed with your doctor before taking Glumetza in order to avoid any potential risks.

There are other factors to inform you doctor of that are not listed above. You should let your doctor know before taking Glumetza if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breastfeeding. The side effects to an unborn fetus are not yet known, nor is there certainty on whether the medication can be passed while breast feeding. It’s important to take Glumetza exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You shouldn’t take it upon yourself to change your dosage in any way. It’s also wise to consult your doctor before taking any other medication or supplement. It’s very possible that there might be a drug interaction even with medicines or supplements you thought safe to take. It’s imperative to follow all instructions outline by your doctor to receive the benefits of taking Glumetza.

Why use Glyburide? Isn’t all diabetes medication the same? Don’t they all do the same things? What’s the difference between one to another? There are different diabetes medications for different needs of the patient. Also, where one medication might work for one person, another person with the same symptoms might not share the same benefits that the first person experienced through a certain medication. Glyburide is used to help control blood sugar levels in an individual. Glyburide is meant for people who suffer from type II diabetes and are looking for a way to gain some control over their body. Glyburide helps to decrease your blood sugar levels by stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin and helps your body to use insulin efficiently. Glyburide is not meant for those who suffer from type I diabetes. The pancreas must create insulin in or for this medication to be effective.

There are certain side effects that need to be taken into consideration when taking Glyburide. This medication can cause you to be drowsy when taking it, so you should be aware not to drive or operate any machinery. It’s possible not to feel this side effect, but you should wait until you know how your body reacts to Glyburide. Since this is a drug that affects your body you need to let your doctor know if you are pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It’s also essential to inform you doctor of any medications or supplements you are taking or plan on taking. This also goes for any type of surgical operations that you might undergo while taking Glyburide.

As with many types of diabetes medications it’s important to know the warning signs of low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, especially when taking Glyburide. Such symptoms include shakiness dizziness or lightheadedness, sweating, confusion, nervousness or irritability, sudden changes in behavior or mood, headache, numbness or tingling around the mouth, weakness, pale skin, sudden hunger, clumsy or jerky movements, and seizures. Make sure to keep something with sugar in it if these symptoms should occur. Glyburide might cause other minor side effects such as bloating, heartburn, and nausea. These are very common when taking this medication. If you begin to experience other noticeable side effects that fail to go away, you need to contact your doctor.

This is not a cure to your type II diabetes. It is still important to continue other forms of maintaining your diabetes such as implementing and good exercise routine that focuses on weight management. It’s also important to utilize a good diet plan. These two factors are very important in helping to keep blood sugar levels at a lower rate. It’s also very important not to do considerable drinking while taking Glyburide. Not only can the use of alcohol interfere with your treatment while using Glyburide, it might also contribute to drowsiness while taking this medication. You should also speak to your doctor if you use tobacco products because it might decrease the effectiveness of treatment with Glyburide. Remember that everything is a factor in the fight to manage your diabetes.

What makes Glucovance so different from other diabetes medication on the market today? What exactly is Glucovance and what does it do? Glucovance is for diabetes patients and is an oral medicine that helps in managing blood your blood sugar levels. This is a two part oral diabetes medication for the treatment of those with type II diabetes who do not rely on insulin. Glucovance is not intended for the treatment for Type 1 diabetes. Glucovance should be taken exactly as prescribed. It is not smart to increase or decrease your dosage without the approval of your doctor. Doing so may be detrimental to your health. Glucovance is only part of a combination treatment method. Glucovance needs to be taken with meals and should be part of an overall healthy lifestyle. It’s important to take your medication regularly and also participate in an active exercise regimen that focuses on healthy eating habits and weight loss. It’s important to follow all of your doctor’s directions and recommendations while taking Glucovance in order for the medication to be beneficial to your health.

What should you know before you start taking this medication? Is there anything in your medical history that would make it unwise for you to take Glucovance? There is in fact important information that you should familiarize yourself with before you start taking this, or any kind of new medication. You shouldn’t take Glucovance if you have congestive heart failure or kidney disease. If you begin to experience any type of ketaocidos reaction, you need to seed medical treatment. Ketaocidos can cause you to go into a diabetic coma if not treated properly and quickly; Glucovance is not meant to be a treatment for if you experience Ketaocidos. Discuss with your doctor any history of liver, heart disease, or stroke in you or your family. This can be an important factor to determine if you are a good candidate for taking Glucovance. It’s also important to mention your taking of Glucovance to any doctor before certain testing is done. Glucovance can interfere with different types of medical testing if the doctor is not aware of your prescription.

As with any medication, there is the possibility of an adverse reaction. Which Glucovance this reaction is called lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis can occur when there is a build-up of lactic acids in the body. When taking Glucovance it’s extremely important to note any unusual side effects such as weakness, increased sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold or numb feeling, muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, light headiness, and fainting. All of these are symptoms of lactic acidosis and should be treated by medical professionals. Even if you are experiencing just a few of these symptoms it is wise to contact your doctor immediately.

As with any medication you need to consider the risk of drug interaction when taking other medications, even those that are over the counter medications. Speak to the pharmacist or your doctor before you decide to mix medications. Also consult with your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or breast feeding. It’s wise to take everything into consideration when taking medication such as Glucovance.

Metformin is one of the most popular drugs in the diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes. This drug works really well with overweight or obese people. This is not for all overweight people but for those who still have their internal organs still working, particularly the kidneys. The drug is so popular in the United States that almost 35 million prescriptions were filled in 2006 alone. There are only two oral anti-diabetics in the world at the present time and metformin is one of those. Without metformin many diabetic sufferers would have to use a needle to regulate their blood sugar.

If someone is obese or overweight they usually have poor insulin resistance. This medicine is the only anti-diabetic that will reduce the cardiovascular complications diabetes that is common in overweight patients. By taking this medicine may lose a little weight, but unlike other diabetic medicines metformin does not make you gain weight. As an added benefit this medicine also reduces your levels of LDL and triglycerides. Not only does metformin reduced insulin resistance, and also helps the side effects of those disorders that cause poor insulin resistance.

Metformin is the main ingredient in the prescription drug Actoplus Met. Combined with pioglitazone, metformin works symbiotically to reduce insulin resistance and to lower blood sugars. This is following the trend of medical research to combine drugs with similar qualities to produce more potent and usable drugs. Combination represents been successful in reducing cholesterol, reducing the chance of heart attack, and other beneficial medical conditions. Remember that metformin and Actoplus Met are both used for only diabetes type 2 and not diabetes type 1. It is not advisable under any circumstances to take metformin or Actoplus Met if you have type 1 diabetes.

Metformin must be used as the doctor prescribed. You should be able to look for signs of low blood sugar. If you feel exceptionally hungry or have headache this might be a sign that your blood sugar is low and it wills soon be followed by dizziness and tremors. If you really are having a low blood sugar problem you will start to sweat and your heartbeat will increase. In severe reactions you may have seizures or perhaps even pass out. It must be noted that severe hypoglycemia can be fatal. You need to monitor your blood sugar at all times and be ready to fix the problem if it arises.

Metformin can be an effective medication that will help you manage you diabetes. As with all drugs, take the medication in accordance to your doctor’s instructions. Report any side effects to your physician immediately and do not try to treat yourself by changing the dosage. If you have kidney problems, let your doctor know before you take metformin and if kidney infection occurs during the taking of metformin contact your doctor. Any changes in weight or in eating habits should also be reported. With proper procedures you blood sugar level and your insulin can be regulated and get you back to a more normal lifestyle.

If you have type 2 diabetes, Pioglitazone may be the medications for you. In addition to a proper diet and a weight loss program, pioglitazone can significantly produce conditions for the insulin receptors in your body to be more sensitive. Pioglitazone, works by not only increasing your sensitivity to insulin, but is also helps control blood sugar levels. You body has to produce insulin for pioglitazone to work. If you cannot produce insulin you have type 1 diabetes and should not take this medication. Pioglitazone is specifically designed for type 2 diabetes and can help you mange your diabetic problems.

Pioglitazone is taken orally one or twice a day. You can take the medication with or without meals which are a plus compared to other many diabetic medications. This medication must be taken in accordance to the directions on the bottle. If you don’t understand the directions ask the doctor to explain them to you. With this drug you do not want to go off on your own tangent and take more or less of the drug that is necessary. Like cholesterol medicine, the doctor may start you off on a low dose of pioglitazone and slowly increase it as the changes in your blood sugar levels are monitored. Minor blood tests may be required to do this.

Pioglitazone was created to control your diabetes. It does not cure as all. As you take pioglitazone you may notice that your doctor raises the dosage after a couple of weeks. The reason for this is that it takes about two weeks for the drug to actually start changing your blood sugar levels and the original dose might not be enough. Like cholesterol and high blood pressure medicines, do not stop taking this treatment if you think you are fine. You may feel well and think you do not need to take the meds anymore, but if you stop without a doctor’s say so, you may set yourself up for some serious complications.

As with all diabetic medicines you need to monitor your blood sugar levels. If you start to feel dizzy or light headed, that may be the sign that your blood sugar is dropping. If you start to tremble or become nauseous, immediately treat the low blood sugar and seek the attention of your doctor. If you do not treat the hyperglycemia you may be at risk of more severe symptoms that may include death. This is not a subtle warning; if the low sugar is not taken care of you are putting your life in jeopardy.

Pioglitazone has been paired with metformin, another diabetes medicine, to help stimulate insulin receptors in a drug called Actoplus Met. This medicine has had dramatic results and treating and maintaining type 2 diabetes has never been easier. Ask your doctor about pioglitazone and see if it or Actoplus Met is right for you. Let him know all your pre-conditions such as allergies or kidney problems so the doctor can prescribe the medication accordingly and correctly.

What exactly is Glucophage and who should use it? Glucophage is for diabetes patients and is an oral medicine that aids in managing blood your blood sugar levels. Is Glucophage for anyone with any type of diabetes? Glucophage is for those with type 2 diabetes who do not rely on insulin. Glucophage is not a treatment for Type 1 diabetes; it might be used in combination with another medication, but is not to be used as a sole source of medication for those with Type 1 diabetes. Glucophage helps to lower your blood sugar by slowing sugar creation and absorption. This in turn assists your body in reacting better to its own insulin. This then encourages the processing of sugar, but does cause an increase of the body’s creation of insulin. Glucophage is an oral medication for the treatment of diabetes.

What should you know before you start taking this medication? Are there any factors that wouldn’t make you a good candidate for Glucophage? There is in fact important information that you should familiarize yourself with before you start taking Glucophage. It’s important to know the ins and outs of a medication to avoid any potential issues or interactions. You shouldn’t take Glucophage if you have kidney disease. If you begin to experience any type of ketoacidosis reaction, you need to seek medical treatment.

Ketoacidosis is when you have dangerous levels of ketones in your body. Ketoacidosis can cause you to go into a diabetic coma if not treated properly; Glucophage is not a treatment for Ketoacidosis. Another factor to consult with your doctor about is if you have any history of liver or heart disease in your family. This can be an important factor to determine if you are a good candidate for taking Glucophage. It’s also significant to mention your taking of Glucophage to any doctor before certain testing is done. Especially if you have to have an x-ray taken or a CT scan performed, Glucophage can interfere with these kinds of medical testing if the doctor is not aware of your prescription.

As with any type of medication there are chances of side effects, Glucophage is no different in this aspect. There is a certain amount of risk to be considered when taking Glucophage. In some people taking Glucophage has resulted in a life-threatening condition known as lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis occurs when there is a build-up of lactic acids in the body. When taking Glucophage it is important to note any unusual side effects such as weakness, increased sleepiness, slow heart rate, cold or numb feeling, muscle pain, shortness of breath, stomach pain, light headiness, and fainting. All of these are symptoms of lactic acidosis and should be treated by medical professionals.

It’s imperative to know the warning signs of low blood sugar for anyone planning on taking Glucophage. It’s also vital that you share all of your medical history before taking this medication. If the doctor is not aware of all the factors of your medical history, they might prescribe Glucophage to someone who is not a good candidate for the medication. There are multiple factors to take into consideration before being prescribed Glucophage. Glucophage need to be used in addition to both diet and exercise in order to be effective.