Dorothy FarrarAntidiabetic
Antidiabetic drugs are drugs that are effective against diabetes mellitus (diabetes). They increase insulin levels, inhibit the absorption of carbohydrates or improve the absorption of glucose into cells. Typical side effects include hypoglycemia and various digestive problems.
What are antidiabetic drugs?
Antidiabetic drugs are drugs used in the treatment of diabetes. Diabetes mellitus or diabetes is a metabolic disorder. Those affected cannot sufficiently regulate the content of sugar in the blood. In healthy people, the hormone insulin takes over this function independently.
However, diabetics suffer from either a lack of insulin or insulin resistance: the cells no longer respond adequately to the same amount of insulin. As a result, blood sugar levels rise, which can cause numerous physical damage. Fatigue, weakness, severe thirst, and weight loss can be signs of diabetes. In the further course, among other things, visual disturbances, difficult wound healing and nerve damage can manifest. Type 1 diabetes is usually congenital and requires different treatment than type 2 diabetes. However, antidiabetic agents can in principle provide therapeutic benefits for both types.
Effect and medical application
Antidiabetic drugs help patients suffering from diabetes regulate their blood sugar levels. In contrast to insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents act closer to the causes of pathologically elevated blood sugar levels. The exact mechanism varies from active ingredient to active ingredient. Metformin, for example, improves the absorption of glucose into cells by, among other things, curbing the production of ATP and reducing the amount of glucose released by the liver.
Two other substances, sulfonylurea and glimidide, increase the release of insulin. In contrast, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors already act in the intestine of humans, where they worsen the absorption of carbohydrates from the food consumed. Carbohydrates cause the amount of glucose in the blood to increase. So the antidiabetic prevents blood sugar levels from getting out of control.
Shapes and groups
Patients take oral hypoglycemic drugs, for example, in the form of tablets. Doctors recommend this group of antidiabetic drugs especially to patients who suffer from type 2 diabetes but do not need to take insulin. One such antidiabetic drug is, for example, metformin. The active ingredient is found in numerous oral hypoglycemic agents, including Diabetase, Metfogamma®, Siofor®, Juformin, Biocos® and Espaformin®®.® Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are also among the oral antidiabetic agents. This group includes, for example, the drug Glucobay® with the active ingredient acarbose or diastabol with the active ingredient miglitol®. The antidiabetic drugs amaryl®, Magna®, Glimegamma® and others, on the other hand, rely on sulfonylurea, while repaglinide® and natelinide are based on glinide®. Other active substances are glitazones and DPP-4 inhibitors.
Dosage
The dosage of the respective antidiabetic drug depends on the concentration of the active substance in the preparation and the individual factors present in the patient. A general recommendation is therefore not possible; only the attending physician can decide on this. Finding the right dose for the respective patient can take some time: Again and again, control examinations must show whether the correct active ingredient concentration has been reached, whether the patient tolerates the drug and how great the effect is at the previous dose.
Often, doctors initially prescribe a small dose to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycaemia is noticeable, among other things, in the form of tremors, sweating, nausea, tachycardia, headaches and a sudden, strong feeling of hunger. Numerous neurological symptoms such as blurred vision, confusion, drowsiness or seizures are also possible. It is therefore essential that patients take their antidiabetic drugs and other medications dutifully.
Plant-based, natural and pharmaceutical alternatives
In many cases, by managing their disease responsibly, patients can reduce the amount of antidiabetic drugs they need to take. A healthy and balanced diet plays a key role in this. Doctors, health insurance companies and nutritionists provide diabetics with information on how to change their diet. Through their own actions, patients can actively participate in the treatment. They can also potentially reduce the side effects of medications in this way.
Nevertheless, the correct intake of the prescribed antidiabetic drugs is important in order to avoid life-threatening conditions. A certain group of diabetics is considered insulin-dependent: they must supply insulin in addition to other medications such as antidiabetic drugs. Insulin acts as a door opener in the human body, allowing cells to absorb glucose from the blood. This is the only way to provide them with sufficient energy. Since obesity contributes to the development of diabetes, a weight-reducing diet can often provide further improvements in overweight and obese patients. In addition, medical professionals often recommend exercise.
Interactions and side effects
The side effects of antidiabetics depend on the specific drug and can differ between drug groups and individual preparations. Typical side effects of antidiabetics containing metformin include nausea and Diarrhea . Patients suffering from renal insufficiency , infections or respiratory insufficiency may develop lactic acidosis (lactic acidosis) when taking metformin. This is a serious side effect that can also occur with metformin administration after surgery or a Heart Attack .
Antidiabetics containing this substance are therefore contraindicated for these diseases. Lactic acidosis causes Blood pH to drop below 7.36. Patients taking alpha-glucosidase inhibitors may develop side effects such as flatulence , diarrhea, nausea, Bloating , abdominal pain. The symptoms arise from the fact that the intestines can only absorb the carbohydrates in the chyme to a limited extent. As a result, more undigested carbohydrates remain in the stool.
They now behave like natural fiber ; these too cannot enter the human body through the intestinal wall. Large amounts of dietary fiber can therefore trigger symptoms similar to the side effects of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. If the organism is not used to large amounts of indigestible carbohydrates or roughage, the development of these symptoms is particularly likely. When patients Eat less carbohydrateseat, the alpha-glucosidase inhibitors block correspondingly fewer carbohydrate molecules. This leaves fewer indigestible carbohydrates that could cause discomfort. In addition, taking alpha-glucosidase inhibitors incorrectly can lead to hypoglycaemia. Sulfonylurea also has similar potential side effects.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.