Coping with side effects of diabetes medications
Diabetes drugs can do wonders to help reach treatment goals, but they often come with uncomfortable side effects.
The best way to cope is to be prepared, and you can do this by becoming educated and informed about exactly what type of drug you're taking and what adverse reactions have been associated with it during clinical trials or by other consumers.
It's also helpful to know which side effects can be considered "normal" and which symptoms may indicate a larger, and potentially more serious, problem.
The Influence of Food
The side effects of some medications, like metformin, can be minimized by taking the medication with food. If you're currently taking a medication without food, check in with your doctor to see if it's safe to take it with meals – keeping in mind how these changes may affect your blood sugar.
Sulfonylureas drugs, like Amaryl or Glucotrol, can cause low blood glucose, so make sure you have a source of carbohydrate with you when you take these types of medications.
Adjustment Period
Many diabetes medications can cause side effects, but oftentimes these symptoms will taper off over time. Make every effort to record the length and severity of your symptoms, cross referencing this information with your doctor to make sure you're not experiencing abnormal outcomes.
Adjusting your dosage, adding another type of medication, or changing medications entirely could be necessary at some point too.
Lifestyle Changes
Some diabetes pills may not mix well with certain dietary choices. Alcohol, for instance, can exacerbate symptoms like nausea or vomiting which come with drugs like Prandin and Starlix.
Minimizing symptoms like gas and bloating caused by diabetes medications may also be alleviated by carefully watching fiber intake, drinking more water and increasing activity levels.
If weight gain is a symptom, experimenting with your caloric and carbohydrate intake, especially, can also help you avoid putting on extra pounds – just make sure to do so under medical supervision.
Sources: Joslin Diabetes Center, American Diabetes Association
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