Mazher replied: "What Are the Alternatives to Metformin?
Metformin (Glucophage®) is a prescription medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. A long-acting form, metformin ER (Glucophage XR®), is also available. For most people, metformin is effective in treating their diabetes, and most people tolerate it well. However, as with all medicines, side effects can occur. In other cases, the medicine may not completely control a person's diabetes. Fortunately, there are several alternatives to metformin.
Some of the metformin alternatives include:
Lifestyle changes
Other oral diabetes medications
Insulin and other injectable diabetes medications.
Lifestyle Changes for Type 2 Diabetes
Many lifestyle changes have been shown to be very effective for controlling type 2 diabetes (especially early type 2 diabetes). These lifestyle changes include weight loss, becoming more physically active . In fact, these changes are important for all people with type 2 diabetes, including people taking diabetes medications.
For many people, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to adequately control type 2 diabetes. For these people, medications (including oral and injectable medications) may be necessary.
Oral Diabetes Medications
Fortunately, there are many different types of oral medications available to treat type 2 diabetes, including:
Sulfonylureas
Meglitinides
Thiazolidinediones
Alpha glucosidase inhibitors
Dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors
Combination medications.
Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureas are medications that force the pancreas to produce more insulin. Because of this, they are very effective, but are also more likely to cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). These medications include:
Chlorpropamide (Diabinese®)
Glimepiride (Amaryl®)
Glipizide (Glucotrol®)
Glyburide (DiaBeta®, Micronase®, Glynase®)
Tolazamide (Tolinase®)
Tolbutamide (Orinase®).
Meglitinides
Meglitinides are similar to sulfonylureas, in that they force the pancreas to produce more insulin. However, they are short-acting and are less likely to cause dangerously low blood sugar. They are usually taken before every meal. Meglitinides include:
Repaglinide (Prandin®)
Nateglinide (Starlix®).
Thiazolidinediones (Glitazones)
These medications mainly work by decreasing insulin resistance and are therefore less likely to cause dangerously low blood sugar. These medications include:
Pioglitazone (Actos®)
Rosiglitazone (Avandia®).
Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors
These medications prevent the breakdown of sugar and carbohydrates in the digestive tract, slowing their absorption. These medications are used to decrease blood sugar levels after meals. These medications include:
Acarbose (Precose®)
Miglitol (Glyset®).
Dipeptidyl Peptidase Inhibitors
This is the newest class of oral diabetes medications. Although more medications in this group are currently under development, there is currently only one medication available in the group -- sitagliptin (Januvia®). These medications increase incretin levels in the body. Incretin is a hormone that helps to regulate blood sugar in the body.
Combination Medications
There are a variety of combination medications available, including:
Glipizide and metformin (Metaglip®)
Glyburide and metformin (Glucovance®)
Pioglitazone and glimepiride (Duetact®)
Pioglitazone and metformin (Actoplus Met®)
Rosiglitazone and glimepiride (Avandaryl®)
Rosiglitazone and metformin (Avandamet®)
Sitagliptin and metformin (Janumet®).
Insulin and Other Injectable Diabetes Medications
There are a variety of different types of insulin and other injectable medications for type 2 diabetes, including:
Insulin
Incretin mimetics
Amylin analogues.
Insulin
There are a variety of insulins available, including short-, long-, or intermediate-acting insulins. There is also an inhaled insulin available (Exubera®).
Incretin Mimetics
There is one incretin mimetic available, called exenatide (Byetta®). It works by acting like the incretin hormone in the body, increasing insulin production and slowing digestion.
Amylin Analogues
There is one amylin analogue available, called pramlintide (Symlin®). This medication works like the amylin hormone in the body, increasing insulin production, slowing digestion, decreasing the production of glucose by the liver, and reducing appetite.
A Summary of Alternatives to Metformin
There are several alternatives to metformin for type 2 diabetes, including lifestyle changes or other medications for diabetes. If metformin is not working for you or if it is causing bothersome side effects, ask your healthcare provider about trying an alternative to metformin.
for more diabetes relates issues visit"
sue replied: "There are 6 classes of oral antidiabetes meds and 1 injection which is not insulin that the doctor may prescribe for you.
"
hava replied: "Start doing these exercises and this will be your alternative to metformin.Do it and tell your specialist(he will not believe it) and show him the sugar levels record.
These pranayam exercises will help control the diabetes and the side effects.Build up the timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume later.The benefits will be noticed in weeks as the sugar level is checked daily.Over the long tern the diabetes will be in full control and the medicine can be reduced in consultation with the doctor.
Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril
then -keeping the left nostril closed deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day).
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.
Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day) Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.
Also everyday press the centre point of the palm of your hand 40 times with the thumb and press the tips of all fingers 40 times each."
What are good alternatives to Avandia for treating type II Diabetes? I''ve been on Avandia for 3 years, and take metformin as well. Now today, news stories show significantly increased heart attack risk with Avandia, and since heart disease runs in my family, I'd rather not chance it. Plus, Avandia makes it really hard to keep weight down, in my experience.
Canbarra 2 replied: "My doctor just increased my Metformin to three a day. In other words with each meal. But I am also on insulin. But since the warning on Avandia came out I will stay away from that drug. We who have Diabetes do not need unwanted problems from drugs."
Cammie replied: "I stopped avandia several yrs ago after i found out it caused fluid retention . I am glad I did. The statistics on this med sound just horrible .
Doctor : I have some good news and some bad news "
Family member of a patient with diabetes " Tell me please "
Doctor "Your relative's blood sugar is great but he has had a massive heart attack and is dead "
Your doctor can help you decide what to do to replace the avandia.
Good luck."
mtphellas1 replied: "Ask your doctor about ACTOS it is a TZD that works on a different gene receptor. Ask him about the "Proactive" study. (Avandia's main competitor) Ask if the heart problem is a class effect. I do not beleive that it is. But ask your doctor what he recommends. Actos is Pioglitazone hydrochloride."
justwondering replied: "It is very likely going to be a class effect, so Actos is not an appropriate alternative.
The Avandia story has been over-hyped. Read the response in the Lancet, another respected journal.
All diabetics are at risk for heart disease regardless of which medication they use.
Talk it over with your doctor."
Does anyone know a natural alternative to spironolactone for pcos? I have elevated androgens, acne, mild hair loss, excess body hair. My weight is perfect though. I also have mild hypoglycemia due to insulin issues.
I HATE DRUGS. Has anyone found an alternative to spiro? One of my holistic docs (the endocrinolist one) is suggesting spiro and metformin.
Yes, drugs have plants in them. But they also have toxic man made ingredients.
SkepDoc 2.0 replied: "Polycystic ovarys lead to all sorts of hormonal problems in women with the problems you have described. There is very good evidence that the medications you have mentioned help. Both of them are safe and clinically proven. Your endocrinologist is certainly the best one to advise you on treatment of this complex problem. Proper diet, exercise and weight loss are a part of the treatment.
I've got news for you though...plants are "drugs" too. And there are none that I am aware of that are effective for PCOS."
manski replied: "I've asked my endo cause I HATED to after taste of the spino and he said no there isn't."
natpractitioner replied: "You are very, very wise to try to avoid pharmaceutical drugs if at all possible. Yes, there are alternatives to spironolactone and metformin in the treatment of PCOS. Natural treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome is multifactorial. You should see a qualified naturopath for specific herbal remedies and diet recommendations, but the basics are below.
Lifestyle. Exercise and weight reduction have been shown to be highly beneficial in the treatment of PCOS and its symptoms. Exercise can helps reduce weight, regulate menstrual cycles, and reduce risk factors for diabetes and heart disease which are associated with PCOS.
PCOS Diet. Women with PCOS respond well to a low glycemic index, low simple carbohydrate, low animal product, high fiber diet which helps reduce weight, regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, and reduce inflammatory prostaglandins.
Nutritional Therapy. Depending on your specific presentation of PCOS, there are a variety of nutritional therapies which will be considered. Nutritional therapies can help to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, reduce circulating androgens, improve ovarian function, improve fertility, reduce risk of heart disease, and support liver detoxification of estrogens.
Herbal Therapy. Depending on your symptoms of PCOS, a variety of herbal therapies may be considered. The goal of herbal medicine might include: reducing circulating androgens, optimizing ovarian function, and supporting optimal endocrine function.
By the way, just to let you know why you are so wise to avoid spirolactone: Even though the drug that your endicrinoligist is suggesting has been shown to be effective in hormone-induced acne it has various unpleasant side effects. Spironolactone is a diuretic [it causes you to pee a lot]. The side effects in low-dose spirolactone are:
irregular menstrual cycle [most common]
breast tenderness [most common]
thirst, dry mouth
stomach cramps, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
headache
dizziness
increased blood potassium levels
low blood pressure
Both blood potassium levels and blood pressure should be checked periodically while you're taking this medication. Also, you shouldn't get pregnant while using spironolactone. And spironolactone isn't a good choice for you if you have kidney problems, or a history (or family history) of breast cancer, uterine cancer, or ovarian cancer. According to the National Institutes of Health, spironolactone is known to have caused tumors in lab animals.
Metformin is also much less desirable than the low Glycemic Index diet that is recommended for PCOS patients. Its side effects include:
MALAISE.
GI DISTURBANCE.
VITAMIN B12 MALABSORPTION.
ELEVATED HOMOCYSTEINE
PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS.
ANEMIA.LIVER OR KIDNEY PROBLEMS.
MULTIPLE MEDICATIONS. You may be at risk for health problems or symptoms if you take metformin in addition to other medications.
HAIR LOSS.
LACTIC ACIDOSIS.
BILE ABNORMALITIES."

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