Diabetes Treatment

GLIPIZIDE Glipizide (generic Glucotrol) is an oral antidiabetic medicine used for the treatment of type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. In diabetics either the body does not make enough insulin or the insulin that is produced no longer works properly. There are two forms of diabetes: type 1 insulin-dependent and type 2 non-insulin-dependent. Type 1 usually requires insulin injections for life, while type 2 diabetes can usually be treated by dietary changes and/or oral antidiabetic medications such as Glucotrol. Apparently, Glipizide (generic Glucotrol) controls diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to secrete more insulin. Occasionally, type 2 diabetics must take insulin injections on a temporary basis, especially during stressful times or periods of illness. PRICE: $88.73

GLUCOPHAGE-XR Glucophage XR (Metformin hydrochloride) is a 24 hour extended-release oral antidiabetic medication used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Diabetes develops when the body proves unable to burn sugar and the unused sugar builds up in the bloodstream. Glucophage lowers the amount of sugar in your blood by decreasing sugar production and absorption and helping your body respond better to its own insulin, which promotes the burning of sugar. It does not, however, increase the body's production of insulin. Glucophage is sometimes prescribed along with insulin or certain other oral antidiabetic drugs such as Micronase or Glucotrol. It is also used alone. Standard Glucophage tablets are taken two or three times daily. An extended-release form (Glucophage XR) is available for once-daily dosing. Always remember that Glucophage is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet and exercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise plan can lead to serious complications such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Remember, too, that Glucophage is not an oral form of insulin and cannot be used in place of insulin. PRICE: $134.73

ACTOS Actos is pescribed for type 2 diabetes to control high blood sugar. Management of type 2 diabetes requires nutritional counseling, weight reduction as needed, and exercise. When diet and exercise are not enough, ACTOS may be used alone or in combination with sulfonylureas, metformin, or insulin to improve blood sugar control. PRICE: $184.73

AVANDIA Avandia, in addition to exercise and diet, improves the control of blood sugar in adults with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Avandia can be used alone or in combination with a sulfonylurea or metformin, when diet, exercise, and one of these agents or diet, exercise, plus Avandia alone are not enough to control blood sugar. PRICE: $180.73

METFORMIN Metformin HCl (generic glucophage) is an oral antidiabetic medication used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Diabetes develops when the body is unable to burn sugar and the unused sugar builds up in the bloodstream. Metformin decreases the amount of sugar in your blood by decreasing sugar production and absorption and helping your body respond better to its own insulin, which promotes the burning of sugar. It does not, however, increase the body's production of insulin. Metformin hydrochloride is sometimes prescribed along with insulin or certain other oral antidiabetic drugs such as Micronase or Glucotrol. It is also used alone. Standard Metformin tablets are taken 2 or 3 times a day. An extended-release form (Glucophage XR) is available for once-daily dosing. Always remember that Metformin hydrochloride is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet and exercise. Failure to follow a proper diet and exercise plan can lead to serious complications such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Remember, too, that Metformin is not an oral form of insulin and cannot be used in place of insulin. PRICE: $98.73

GLUCOPHAGE Glucophage (Metformin hydrochloride) is an oral antidiabetic medicine used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes. Diabetes develops when the body proves unable to burn sugar and the unused sugar builds up in the bloodstream. Glucophage decreases the amount of sugar in your blood by decreasing sugar absorption and production and helping your body respond better to its own insulin, which promotes the metabolism of sugar. It does not, however, increase the body's production of insulin. Glucophage is sometimes prescribed along with insulin or certain other oral antidiabetic drugs such as Micronase or Glucotrol. It is also used alone. Standard Glucophage tablets are taken 2 or 3 times a day. An extended-release form (Glucophage XR) is available for once-daily dosing. Always remember that Glucophage is an aid to, not a substitute for, good diet and exercise. Failure to follow a sound diet and exercise plan can lead to serious complications such as dangerously high or low blood sugar levels. Remember, too, that Glucophage is not an oral form of insulin and cannot be used in place of insulin. PRICE: $132.73

AMARYL Amaryl is an oral medication used to treat type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes when diet and exercise alone fail to control abnormally high levels of blood sugar. Like other diabetes drugs classified as sulfonylureas, Amaryl lowers blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. Amaryl is often prescribed along with the insulin-boosting drug Glucophage. It may also be used in conjunction with insulin and other diabetes drugs. PRICE: $100.73