Learn about the different diabetes treatment pills available, the guidelines when taking them and more.
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Type of Tablet | Action | Comment |
Sulphonylureas e.g. - Chlorpropamide (Diabinese®) - Glibenclamide (Daonil®) - Gliclazide (Diamicron®) - Tolbutamide (Rastinon®) - Glimepiride (Amaryl®) | Help the pancreas to release more insulin and the body to use glucose more effectively. |
Take the tablet(s) daily immediately after meals (except Gliclazide which is consumed half an hour before meals).
Do not miss or delay meals. Otherwise, your blood sugar level may fall too low.
Sometimes other tablets (e.g. those for blood pressure) can react with anti-diabetes tablets. If in doubt, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Alcohol interferes with some of these tablets: consult your pharmacist if you are planning to drink alcohol. For example, having alcohol with Chlorpropamide causes side effects like redness and vomiting. |
Biguanides e.g. Metformin (Glucophage®) | Help the body to use glucose more effectively. |
Take the tablet(s) with meals or after meals. |
a-glucosidase inhibitors eg. Acarbose (Glucobay®) | Help to stop the quick rise of blood glucose after a meal. | Take the tablet(s) with the first mouthful or immediately before each of the three main daily meals. |
Meglitinides e.g. Repaglinide (Novonorm®) | Help the pancreas to release more insulin. | Take the tablet before meals. |
Thiazolidinediones e.g. Rosiglitazone (Avandia®) | Enhance insulin action and help the body to use glucose more effectively. | Take the tablet with or without food. |
This article was last reviewed on Tuesday, May 25, 2021