Non-Insulin Diabetes Drugs

Diabetes is a growing concern across the U.S., and the walk-in clinics found in Phoenix, Suprise, and Laveen have several patients at-risk for this complicated disease. Contrary to popular perception, insulin is not the sole injectable medicine for diabetes. Your Phoenix-area doctor may prescribe you a number of other alternatives as well.

Albiglutide or Tanzeum

It is the artificial version of GLP-1 hormone. The latter is naturally released by the intestines when you consume food. It assists in blood sugar control. Tanzeum is normally prescribed to adults suffering from type 2 diabetes and those who had no beneficial results from other treatment. This artificial product may not be beneficial for pregnant women.

Albiglutide helps to release insulin from the pancreas. This moves the glucose or blood sugar into the cells. It also restricts the amount of glucagon hormone the body makes. The product pushes the liver to release the stored sugar. Digestion is slowed down when this particular drug is taken. Like many drugs, Tanzeum has a number of side effects like infection in upper respiratory tract, skin reactions, diarrhea and nausea after the shot. The labeling clearly mentions that this kind of drug has been connected to thyroid cancer during tests in mice and rats. The drugs' effect on people is less documented.

Exenatide, known as Byetta or Bydureon

The Exenatide drug has the distinction of being the first GLP-1 variety to won FDA approval. Byetta came first. You must take the shot twice everyday. The extended release and newer version is Bydureon. As a patient, you must inject it once a week. This drug is suitable for adults suffering from type 2 diabetes and where other treatments have not worked. Pregnant women should take the drug only after due consultation from her doctor. There is no conclusive research of the effects of this drug on pregnant women.

Similar to other GLP-1 drugs, the exenatide instructs your pancreas to release the insulin. This moves the glucose out of he blood-stream and then into the cells. It also restricts the glucagon manufactured by the body. The hormone also prompts the liver to release its stored sugar. This drug slows the digestion as well.

A number of side effects are associated with exenatide. These includes a jittery feeling, nausea, diarrhea, acid stomach, weakness, constipation and dizziness. These generally goes away after the treatment continues for a month. The pancreas may also be inflamed and this could be a severe condition. In a few cases, it has found that the administering of this drug has resulted in kidney failure. All kinds of GLP-1 drugs, including exenatide in both its forms, comes with a boxed warning that says this drug, during animal studies, have been associated with thyroid cancer in rats and also mice. Experts are unsure whether administration of this drug will result in such an outcome in humans. There is a strong possibility that a person can suffer from low blood sugar or can go through am allergic reaction due to this drug. The Liraglutide, or Victoza is another kind of GLP-1 drug. The patient must inject it only once every day. More insulin will be released due to this drug.

If you are concerned about your Diabetes risk, talk with our friendly and compassionate doctors at our Phoenix-area walk-in clinics. Our physicians are well-versed in health management and can help you make lifestyle changes to lower your risks for this and other common diseases. Book an appointment today, or walk-in!

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