Diabetes Med equivalents - Diabetes Message Board

jdog · 06-09-2003, 11:56 AM

I was wondering if anyone might know if there is data out comparing the different oral meds for type II D. I'm looking for info such as "x mg of glyburide is equivalent to y mg of glucophage," but I have a feeling it may not be as simple as that.

I've run into what I feel is a happy situation. I've been seeing a dietician and have modified my food choices over the last week. I've lost a little weight and have noticed a dramatic drop in my blood sugar. Enough in fact that last Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon, I experienced low blood sugar that made me tremble all over and drop to my knees. All hail the Goddess Little Debbie. LOL. Brought me right back.

I may have to just go visit my doc, but I was wondering out of Avandia, Glyburide, and Glucophage, which one would be the one to start reducing that would have the *LEAST* effect, so I can monitor and see how much my BS rises over the week. Thanks.

jdog

SamQKitty · 06-09-2003, 06:31 PM

jdog,
You're absolutely right...it's NOT as simple as that!

I'm not an expert on the current oral medications, having switched over to insulin many years ago, but I do know that they work in different ways.

Gliburide is a sulfonurea; those drugs work by causing your pancreas to produce extra insulin.

Some of the other drugs work by preventing your liver from dumping glucose.

Yet other drugs work by increasing your body tissues' sensitivity to insulin.

If you're losing weight and starting to have lows, talk to your doctor about reducing one or all of your medications. You may only need a portion of what you're currently taking. And for some people, weight loss can eventually enable them to get off all medications, but that's not true for everyone.

So, talk to your doctor! Meanwhile, you'll probably be able to figure out a pattern of when your blood sugar is most likely to go low...plan to have a small snack just before that time...something a bit healthier than Lil Debbie's, LOL.

[This message has been edited by SamQKitty (edited 06-09-2003).]

jdog · 06-09-2003, 07:51 PM

SamQ-

LOL! I was at a Dollar General Store picking up a lunch box and some blue ice when I had the light-headed spell. I don't care what they say, them there Lil' Debbie Peanut Butter bars are some good eatin'

It was the quickest solution and only 25 cents.

I've since added a 3 pm snack to my daily diet. A piece of fruit or a cup of Kashi. It really hit the spot and carries me to about 7 PM when I get home for dinner. My fasting blood sugar this morning was 58 and at 7 this evening, it was 79.

Thanks for the info. I was afraid I was going to have to visit my doctor. He's just an old stick in the mud. However, his nurse is one of the hottest looking women I have ever met. And she is nice to boot.

jdog

SamQKitty · 06-10-2003, 07:49 PM

So, jdog, I guess having diabetes isn't ALL bad, if the nurse is that hot! LOL