If you have type 2 diabetes, your pancreas usually makes plenty of insulin. But your body cannot correctly use the insulin you make. You might get this type of diabetes if members of your family have or had diabetes. You might also get type 2 diabetes if you weigh too much or do not exercise enough. After you have had type 2 diabetes for a few years, your body may stop making enough insulin. Then you will need to take diabetes pills or insulin.
It’s important to know as much as possible about the all the medicines you take. Speak with your health care provider, diabetes educator, or pharmacist about the following:
- When to take your diabetes medicines; before a meal (and if so, how long before), with a meal, or after a meal? Or find out if it matters?
- What meals to take the diabetes medicines?
- How many times a day to take the diabetes medicines?
- If it’s important to take your diabetes medicines at the same time each day?
- What the possible side effects may be? What to do if you have any of these side effects?
- What to do if you forget to take a dose?
- What to do if you are sick and can’t eat?
- What to do if you can’t eat due to medical tests?
ONE, TWO, OR MORE PILLS
More than likely your health care provider will start you on a small dose of one diabetes pill. He or she will determine if a small dose of one type of pill gets and keeps your blood glucose in control. If one pill does not control your blood glucose, your health care provider may increase your dose, add another pill or insulin, switch you to another pill, or ask you to take insulin without any pills.
How do I know if my diabetes medicines are working?
Learn to test your blood glucose. Ask your doctor or diabetes teacher about the best testing tools for you and how often to test. After you test your blood glucose, write down your blood glucose test results. Then ask your doctor or diabetes educator if your diabetes medicines are working. A good blood glucose reading before meals is between 70 and 140 mg/dL.Ask your doctor or diabetes educator about how low or how high your blood glucose should get before you take action. For many people, blood glucose is too low below 70 mg/dL and too high above 240 mg/dL. One other number to know is the result of a blood test your doctor does called hemoglobin A-1-c or glycated hemoglobin. It shows your blood glucose control during the past 2 to 3 months. For most people, a good hemoglobin A-1-c is 7 percent.
WHEN YOU FORGET TO REMEMBER TAKING A PILL
Sounds like it should be the easiest thing in the world, right? Everyone forgets their pills now and then. But if you forget too often your blood sugars may be paying the price. Think about why you miss so often. Do you just forget? Are side effects a problem? Do you feel worse or the same when you take them? Or, are pills just one more chore to do, and it’s just too much?
If you find that you are simply forgetting here are some tips to help you remember:
- Ask your pharmacist to help you create a medication calendar to fit your lifestyle.
- Ask your pharmacist for the best time to take your oral diabetes pills.
- If you carry a supply of your medications with you, keep them in airtight containers with labels on each bottle.
- Learn how to use a medication organizer to help you keep track of your medication regimen.
- Set an alarm (watch, etc.) to remind you to take your medicines.
- Keep your medications out of the reach of children.
EAT HEALTHY & STAY ACTIVE - STILL A MUST
If you take oral medications to control your diabetes view them as “extra help” to control your blood glucose. More than likely you need to shed a few pounds, improve your blood fats, and blood pressure. Healthy eating and exercise helps you achieve these goals as well. And if you lose enough weight you may be able to take less pills or no pills at all. Remember, it may only take a few pounds.
