Subject: Re: First medicine?
Date: Sat, 08 Dec 2001 22:00:15 -0600
From: "J.C. Hartmann"
Newsgroups: misc.health.diabetes

Every doc has his own preferences, but my bet would probably be on Glucophage as the first. There are six "anti-diabetic" drug classes in common use. Each addresses a different part of the cycle. They are:

1. Reduce hepatic production of glucose - Glucophage (a biguanide)
2. Increase insulin sensitivity - Avandia, Actos ('glitizones)
3. Produce more insulin - Glyburide, et al. (Sulfonylureas)
4. Interfere with carbohydrate metabolism - Precose ( AGI)
5. Force short term increase in insulin production - Starlix ('glinides)
6. Replace or increase insulin directly - Insulin and analogs

The doc should select one or more depending on your specifics.

Jim JungleDDD wrote:Hi, All
Is there a first med that docs will put you on when you go off diet/exercise? And why one med over another, what are the factors being weighed?
JD.