Injectable type 2 diabetes medications
Injectable diabetes medications are usually prescribed when oral diabetes medications fail to control the level of blood sugar in type 2 diabetic patients. Injectable drugs that type 2 diabetic patients use could either be insulin-based or non-insulin injectables, such as Amylin. Injectable insulin is usually the last treatment to be prescribed to patients with T2D, and is only added when oral diabetes drugs like metformin or non-insulin injections fail to work. Here is the list of injectable type 2 diabetes drugs.
Adlyxin
Adlyxin is a once daily injectable diabetic drug that is usually prescribed together with diet and exercise program. Adlyxin is a new injectable drug in a class of drugs called GLP-1 or glucagon like peptide 1. Adlyxin should be used to control the levels of blood sugar in type 2 diabetic people and not those with T1D.
The common side effects of Adlyxin include:
- Diarrhea;
- Dizziness;
- Headache;
- Nausea;
- Vomiting.
Liraglutide (Victoza)
Liraglutide is a non-insulin injectable drug that is used to control the levels of blood sugar in type 2 diabetic patients. Liraglutide, also known by the brand name Victoza, is usually administered once daily under the skin. This drug belongs to a class of medications known as incretin mimetics. Drugs under this class work by mimicking the action of incretins, which reduces high levels of blood sugar after taking a meal.
The most common side effects of liraglutide include:
- Fatigue;
- Nausea;
- Headache;
- Diarrhea or constipation;
- Stomach pain.
Exenatide (Byetta)
Exenatide, which is also known as Byetta, is a non-insulin injectable diabetes medication that is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Byetta is usually administered twice daily subcutaneously using a syringe. This injectable diabetic medication not only helps to improve the levels of blood sugar, but also can aid in weight loss. Byetta belongs to a class of diabetes drugs called incretin mimetics. Incretin mimetics work by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin when the levels of blood sugar rises.
When you start to take this drug, you may experience side effects including:
- Vomiting;
- Nausea;
- Headaches.
Pramlintide
Pramlintide is a man-made form of the natural hormone Amylin, which is normally released together with insulin. The brand name of pramlintide is Symlin. Symlin is an injectable diabetes drug that can be taken in combination with insulin therapy to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetic patients. This medication works by reducing the amount of food that goes to the intestines from the stomach. This helps to prevent the level of blood glucose from rising very fast. Pramlintide also reduces the amount of sugar that is produced by your liver.
The common side effects of Symlin include:
- Stomach pain;
- Loss of appetite;
- Irritation at the injection site;
- Headache;
- Difficulty with swallowing;
- Fatigue.
Doctor’s Recommendation
In terms of which medicine someone should be on, additionally, if metformin monotherapy is not sufficient, is highly individualized, and the list here is only present to discuss possible options. Because of their prohibitive costs, GLP-1 agonists are often omitted from the discussion altogether, especially in medically underserved areas. Bringing a list of options is helpful because it may result in physicians prescribing something not part of their routine practice.
Disclaimer: Please note that the contents of this community article are strictly for informational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. This article, and other community articles, are not written or reviewed for medical validity by Canadian Insulin or its staff. All views and opinions expressed by the contributing authors are not endorsed by Canadian Insulin. Always consult a medical professional for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.
