Diabetes Medicines Aren’t Working? 6 Ways to Try

Don’t lose heart if your treatment of Type 2 diabetes isn’t working as expected initially. It’s not a failure, but a sign that adjustments are needed. Many individuals with Type 2 diabetes struggle to keep their blood sugar levels within the recommended range. Then managing Type 2 diabetes becomes an important part of your treatment journey.

Despite of all the medicines and the treatment plans, there are chances when blood sugar levels remain uncontrolled in individuals with Type 2 diabetes. When treatment isn’t effective in achieving the desired blood sugar levels, it’s important to consult your doctor to identify the underlying reasons and explore alternative options. This may involve assessing medicines, addressing lifestyle factors and considering additional or different medicines.

In some cases, insulin therapy may be given when oral medicines alone are not sufficient to control blood sugar levels. Insulin can be administered through injections or insulin pumps and may be used in combination with oral medicines to control blood sugar levels. It’s essential to discuss with your doctor about any challenges you may be facing in managing your diabetes and to know all available options for your treatment plan.

Furthermore, when treatment isn’t effective, it’s important to consider the potential impact of comorbidities and other health conditions that may affect blood sugar control. Conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease can affect diabetes management and may require additional attention in the overall treatment approach. Understanding the interconnected nature of these health factors is important in developing a personalised strategy for Type 2 diabetes.

Despite of all the availability of medicines and treatment guidelines, many individuals with Type 2 diabetes struggle to keep their blood sugar levels within the recommended range. Another challenge in diabetes treatment is the side effects associated with certain medicines. For example, some individuals may experience gastrointestinal disturbances with metformin, while others may develop hypoglycaemia with sulfonylureas. These side effects can impact medicine use and overall quality of life for individuals. Understanding and addressing these challenges is essential in developing a comprehensive approach to diabetes management.

How to manage Type 2 diabetes if medicines aren’t working?

Below are the ways for managing Type 2 diabetes:

Balanced and nutritious eating plan focused on individual needs

A balanced diet that focuses on portion control, carbohydrate management, and the inclusion of nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats can help regulate blood sugar levels and support weight management. Monitoring carbohydrate intake and making informed food choices can assist in preventing sharp fluctuations in blood sugar levels and promote a more stable metabolic response.

Working with a registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator can provide valuable guidance in developing a balanced and nutritious eating plan for your individual needs.

Regular physical activity

Regular physical activity and weight management can have a significant impact on blood sugar levels and overall health. Engaging in regular physical activity, such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling, can help improve insulin sensitivity and promote better blood sugar management. These lifestyle changes, when combined with medication adjustments, can contribute to a more comprehensive approach to diabetes management.

Regular physical activity helps the body use insulin more effectively and contribute to weight loss or maintenance. Engaging in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days, is recommended for individuals with Type 2 diabetes. These lifestyle changes, when combined with effective medicines, form a complete approach in managing Type 2 diabetes.

Stress management

Stress management involve a combination of lifestyle changes and adjustments to stressful conditions to achieve better blood sugar control.

Weight management

Weight management with regular physical activity have a significant impact on managing Type 2 diabetes and overall health.

Combination therapies

The progressive nature of Type 2 diabetes presents a challenge in treatment, as the body’s ability to produce and respond to insulin may change over time. This can necessitate adjustments to medications and treatment plans to ensure continued efficacy in managing blood sugar levels. In some cases, exploring next steps may also involve considering the use of combination therapies or newer medications that offer different mechanisms of action in managing blood sugar levels. Your doctor may recommend the addition of another medicine from a different class to complement your current treatment and address specific challenges in blood sugar control. It’s essential to have ongoing discussions with your doctor to assess the effectiveness of these next steps and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.

Newer class of medications

There are ongoing developments in Type 2 diabetes medicines that offer new options to control blood sugar. One notable advancement is the newer classes of medicine such as SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medicines not only lower blood sugar levels but also provides additional benefits such as cardiovascular risk reduction and weight management.

SGLT2 inhibitors work by causing the kidneys to remove sugar from the body through urine, which can reduce blood sugar levels and may also offer cardiovascular and kidney protection. GLP-1 receptor agonists, on the other hand, stimulate insulin release and suppress glucagon secretion, leading to improved blood sugar control and potential weight loss. These newer classes of medications have expanded the treatment options available for individuals with Type 2 diabetes and offer alternative pathways to diabetes management.

Furthermore, ongoing research and clinical trials continue to explore novel approaches in managing Type 2 diabetes, including combination therapies and targeted interventions that aim to address specific aspects of the condition. It’s important for individuals with Type 2 diabetes to stay informed about these developments and discuss potential treatment options to determine the most suitable approach.

Commonly prescribed Type 2 Diabetes Medicines

In the management of Type 2 diabetes,  Metformin, a biguanide, is a commonly prescribed drug. It is often the first-line medication for Type 2 diabetes. It is well-tolerated and has a long-standing history of use in the treatment of this condition. Sulfonylureas, another class of drugs, work by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. These drugs are effective but may cause weight gain and hypoglycaemia in some individuals.

Thiazolidinediones, or glitazones, are another type of drugs that can improve insulin sensitivity in the body. DPP-4 inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors are newer medicines that lower blood sugar levels in different ways. DPP-4 inhibitors help reduce blood sugar levels by increasing insulin production and decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver. SGLT2 inhibitors, on the other hand, work by causing the kidneys to remove sugar from the body through urine.

GLP-1 receptor agonists are injectables that can help lower blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of insulin and reducing the production of glucagon. Each class of drugs has its own set of benefits and side effects, and your doctor will consider these factors when determining the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Conclusion

In managing Type 2 diabetes, the combination of lifestyle changes with medicines is a fundamental approach for blood sugar control. Making changes in diet, physical activity levels and stress management can contribute to better overall health and improved diabetes management.

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