Side effects of Diabetes Medication

These are commonly used medications for diabetes treatment, how they work and some side effects.

Diabetes Medications

Sulfonylureas

These medications act to force your pancreas to make more insulin, which then lowers your blood sugar.

Some side effects of Sulfonylureas are:

• In upset stomach
• Low blood sugar
• Weight gain
• Skin rash or itching

Biguanides

This medication helps in diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels by keeping the liver from making too much glucose or sugar. Metformin also helps the level of insulin by lowering it in the body.

Some side effects of Biguanides are:

• Metformin makes the patient ill when combined with drink over 2-4 drinks per week.
• For those with kidney disease, metformin might build up in the system.
• When you have diarrhea, vomiting and are unable to replenish fluids, you are able to stop drug for a couple of days.
• Can become weak, tired or dizzy and also can have trouble breathing.
• When you first begin taking metformin, you may have diarrhea, nausea as well as other stomach problems but usually go away.
• Metal taste in mouth.
• If having surgery, make sure doctor knows. Doctor will advise how to take medication the day of surgery.
• If you have any type of medical test which uses dye, make sure doctor knows you are taking metformin.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors

Blocks the enzymes which usually digest starches. Side effects may include:

• May cause problems with stomach such as bloating, diarrhea and gas which should go away after taking the drug for awhile

Thiazolidinediones

Works by making cells more sensitive to insulin therapy. Side effects may include:

• When taking pioglitazone or rosiglitazone enzymes in the liver need to be checked regularly. Call doctor if you have vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, lack of appetite, yellowing of the skin, tiredness, eyes are yellowing, or urine dark-colored.
• Can make other diabetes drugs along with pioglitazone or rosiglitazone cause blood glucose drop too low.
• When taking birth control pills, drugs under this group could make birth control pills less effective.
• Gaining of weight.
• Feeling tired because of risk of anemia.
• Some swelling in ankles and legs.

Meglitinides

Works on helping pancreas make more insulin right after meals. Side effects include:

• Low blood sugar
• Weight gain

These are commonly used blood pressure medications and some side effects:

Blood Pressure Medication

Diuretic Drugs

• Skin rash

Beta Blockers

• Tiredness
• Sleeping problems
• Cooling of hands and feet

Calcium channel blockers

• Swollen ankles
• Bleeding gums
• Passing of urine at night
• Constipation

These are commonly used cholesterol lowering medications and some side effects:

Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

They block cholesterol synthesis in the liver

Crestor

• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Abdominal pain
• Weakness
• Nausea

Lipitor

• Headache
• Infections
• Muscle pain
• Diarrhea
• Joint pain
• Inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis)
• Accidental injury

Pravachol

• Heartburn
• Headache
• Dizziness

Zocor

• Abdomyolysis
• Myopathy