Sugar is known as a substance that gives sweet taste and is always symbolised as happiness in life. Unfortunately, having high blood sugar or hyperglycaemia may not be the sweetest thing to happen in life. High blood sugar is usually linked to people with diabetes. Differences between diabetes and high blood sugar is diabetes is a chronic disease as a result of underproduction of insulin by the pancreas or the body is unable to effectively use the insulin whereas high blood sugar is defined as the blood sugar level more than 125 mg/dL or 6.9 mmol/L while fasting and greater than 180 mg/dL or 10 mmol/L 2 hours postprandial (a test to measure blood sugar 2 hours after the start of a meal). A person with diabetes definitely has hyperglycaemia but people with hyperglycemia may or may not have diabetes.
It is important to treat hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes due to the nature of the disease itself. Since diabetes is a chronic disease, it tends to progress into complications such as nerve and eye damages such as peripheral neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy when left untreated. In fact, it is estimated that 65% of people with diabetes end with death after heart disease or stroke. You probably wonder if there is a pill for high blood sugar/ high blood glucose. Yes, there are such as the JANUMET 50/500 mg.
JANUMET contains metformin and sitagliptin as its active ingredients. Metformin belongs to a class of drugs known as biguanide. It works by decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and improving the body response towards insulin so that the glucose can be utilised well. Sitagliptin belongs to a class of drugs known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. It works by preventing breakdown of the GLP-1, prolonging the action of GLP-1 and enhancing incretin levels. This leads to an increase of insulin production by the pancreas and reduces the amount of sugar made by the liver.
This medicine is usually prescribed to patients with diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes as the first medicine to improve blood sugar control when diet and exercise are unable to control the blood glucose level as targeted by the doctor. It may also be prescribed for those with type 2 diabetes that are inadequately controlled by metformin or sitagliptin alone. This medicine may be combined with other antidiabetic drugs or on top of insulin that you have already received. Dosage of JANUMET should be individualised and is always based on the patient’s target plan or response that could be seen in their blood glucose level. In general, the recommended dose is twice daily with meals. You should not split or divide this medicine because by doing so you may compromise the fixated dose you should be getting when taken as a whole. There can be a number of reasons why you might be put on JANUMET and receive different dosage or more than one type of antidiabetic drug at one time. It is best to ask your healthcare provider if you are unsure why you are receiving it.
While JANUMET does bring benefit in controlling a person’s blood sugar level, there are also potential side effect that might occur in patients. Common side effects are nausea, diarrhoea, headache and upper respiratory infection. If these side effect occur and gets worst, do talk to your healthcare provider. This medication does not usually cause low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) that is marked by dizziness, shaking, confusion, hunger or sweating. However, this may be the case if this drug is prescribed with other antidiabetic medications. You should talk to your healthcare provider as they may make adjustment to the drug dosage. You should bring glucose tablets or sweet candy in your pocket or bag where you can easily snatch when you start to feel hypoglycaemia. To prevent hypoglycemic episodes, you should never skip meals and always have meals on time. If you experience any other side effect not stated here, you should seek medical help promptly.
In essence, there are pills for high blood sugar such as the JANUMET. To make sure a person is getting the effective effect from the medicine, they need to take it regularly and as directed by their doctor. Taking medicine should not only be the only way to control blood sugar level. Apart from taking medicine prescribed, a person with diabetes should practise a healthy active lifestyle by doing regular physical activity such as brisk walking and practising healthy eating habits as according to the food pyramid while reducing food or drink high in sugar or simple carbohydrates. It is important to attend check-ups as planned by the doctor. Getting enough rest and sleep on top of managing stress can help better control of blood sugar level.
Here are other pills to treat high blood sugar that you may be prescribed with based on drug class:
- Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors that works by slowing down the breakdown of sugar from rising the blood sugar level after meal- E.g.: acarbose, miglitol
- TZDs (Thiazolidinediones) that works by reducing glucose production by liver and improve insulin sensitivity- E.g.: rosiglitazone, pioglitazone
- Sulfonylureas that works by stimulating pancreas to produce more insulin- E.g.: glimepiride, glipizide
- Meglitinides that works by stimulating pancreas to release insulin- E.g.: nateglinide, repaglinide
- SGLT2 Inhibitors that works by blocking the action of kidney from reabsorbing glucose- E.g.: canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin
- Dopamine-2 Agonists that works by reducing glucose production by liver – E.g.: bromocriptine.
