What is insulin

DIABETES CONTROL MATTERS
A CLOSER LOOK AT ORAL AGENTS FOR THE PATIENT
Today, there are several kinds of oral agents, ordiabetes pills, available for the treatment of type 2diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctorand health care team can help you decide which oralagent or combination of oral agents are the best foryou.
Here are some general tips about oral agents: • Many doctors combine one oral agent with • Exercise and weight loss improve how well the diabetes pills work, which can sometimes helpreduce the amount of diabetes medicine you haveto take.
• Taking insulin does not mean your diabetes is “worse” than the diabetes of a person who takespills. It means that it is right for you at this time.
Brand Name
Generic Name
How They Work
Possible Side Effects
• Upset stomach, take with food to avoid • Requires frequent liver function tests • Increasing dose slowly helps tolerance Copyright 2000, american healthways, inc. Pat 005-99 DIABETES CONTROL MATTERS
MEDICINE MATTERS
Simple Tips for Over-the-Counter Drug Use
Taking your medicine the right way is an importantpart of managing your diabetes and steering clear of • Cough medicines – Avoid products with
complications. Here are some tips to help you: • Fever reducers / pain relievers – Do not
Take your medicine exactly as prescribed. Never
take large does of aspirin (14 or more a day) take larger doses or extra doses unless instructed by • Decongestants – Check with your doctor
Make sure you understand the directions on the
before taking decongestants; they can cause medicine container and any information the pharmacist gives you about your medicine.
Take your medicine at the same time every day.
You’ll be less likely to forget when taking your
medicine is part of a daily routine.
Keep all medicine in its original container with its
original label. Throw out any medicines and
containers you no longer use or that have passed
their expiration date.
Keep a list of all of the medicines you take with
you at all times. If you use the same pharmacist for
all of your medicines they may be able to print this list
for you.
Don’t share or trade medicine with anyone. While
your symptoms may be similar, medicine can have
different effects on different people.
Report any side effects to your doctor. Don’t stop
taking your medicine or change your dosage unless
your doctor tells you to do so.
Check all your medicine once a year. Take all
prescription and non-prescription medicine (pain pills,
laxatives, antacids, cold remedies, vitamins, herbal
pills and teas, etc.) to your doctor or pharmacist to
find out if you still need to take them.
AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION GOALS FOR
BLOOD GLUCOSE
Before meals
<110 mg/dl
80-120 mg/dl
2 hours after meals
<140 mg/dl
<180 mg/dl
<120 mg/dl
100–140 mg/dl
Hemoglobin A1c
Copyright 2000, american healthways, inc. Pat 005-99

Source: http://www.lourdes.com/media/39143/june2001.pdf