Medications used to treat Diabetes

METFORMIN

Metformin is an oral diabetic medication that has been around for 100 years. It can be used with insulin. As a CMAII you will administer Metformin frequently as a treatment for Type II Diabetes. Metformin is the 2nd most widely used prescribed drug in the United States (Lipitor is the 1st). Doctors wrote more than 91 million scripts for the medication up from 4 million in 2004.

Metformin comes from a plant called Galega Officinalis, also known as French Lilac or Goat’s Rue. The plant is native to the Middle East and has spread to Western Asia, Europe and North America. Metformin is also on the World Health Organization’s list of essential drugs.

It is more effective than any other drug for type II Diabetes, Metformin lowers glucose levels primarily by decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver. It also helps lower blood sugar levels by making muscle tissue more sensitive to insulin so blood glucose can be used for energy.

Common brand names you will give as a CMAII are:

• Glucophage
• Glucophage XR
• Riomet

Always administer metformin with meals or a snack to help reduce stomach upset.

Common side effects include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Cramps
• Diarrhea

Notify the nurse immediately if you witness any side effects with patients taking metformin.

SULFONYLUREAS

Sulfonylurea are a class of organic compounds used in medicine and agriculture. In agriculture they are used to prevent the growth of certain types of weeds. Sulfonylurea in medicine works by stimulating insulin release from the pancreas to lower blood sugar levels.

Common brand names you will see as a CMAII are:

• Glipizide (Glucotrol)
• Glimepiride (Amaryl)
• Tolazamide (Tolinase)

Side effects include:

• Hypoglycemia
• Weight gain
• Upset stomach

Notify the nurse immediately if you witness any side effects with patients taking sulfonylureas.

DPP-4 INHIBITORS

This drug does exactly what it says. It inhibits the enzyme DPP-4 which in turn increases beta-cell insulin secretions in the pancreas. Which reduces after meals and fasting hyperglycemia.

Common brand names you will give as a CMAII are:

• Sitagliptin (Januvia)
• Alogliptin (Nesina)

Common side effects are:

• Headaches
• Nasopharyngitis
• Pancreatitis

Notify the nurse immediately if you witness any side effects with patients taking DPP-4 Inhibitors

SGLT-2 INHIBITORS

These drugs work in the kidneys. They stop the kidneys from reabsorbing sugar. So more sugar is released through urination.

Common brand names you will give as a CMAII are:

• Jardiance (Empagliflozin)
• Steglarto (Ertugliflozin)

Common side effects are:

• Yeast infections
• UTIs

Notify the nurse immediately if you witness any side effects with patients taking SGLT-2 Inhibitors.