Gastroparesis definition and facts In gastroparesis, the muscles of the stomach stop working. Gastroparesis is a disease of the muscles of the stomach or the nerves controlling the muscles that causes the muscles to stop working. Gastroparesis results in inadequate grinding of food by the stomach, and poor emptying of food from the stomach into...
What is metformin and sitagliptin? What is Janumet used for? Janumet is a combination of two drugs, metformin and sitagliptin, that are used for reducing blood glucose (sugar) levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The FDA approved Janumet in March 2007. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It limits blood glucose levels...
What are SGLT2 inhibitors? SGLT2 (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2) inhibitors are prescription oral medications used to treat type 2 diabetes. What generic and brand names of SGLT2 inhibitors are available in the US? Brand and generic names of SGLT2 inhibitors and combination products that contain SGLT2 inhibitors include: canagliflozin (Invokana) canagliflozin/metformin (Invokamet) canagliflozin/metformin extended release (Invokamet...
What is glucagon? Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that, along with insulin, controls the level of glucose in the blood. Glucagon has the opposite effect of insulin. It increases the glucose levels in blood. Glucagon, the drug, is a synthetic (man-made) version of human glucagon and is manufactured by genetic engineering using...
What is repaglinide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Repaglinide is an oral medication for lowering blood sugar (glucose) in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It is in a class of drugs for treating diabetes type 2 called meglitinides that are chemically unlike other anti-diabetic medications. Nateglinide (Starlix), is another currently available meglitinide....
What is insulin glargine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Insulin glargine is a bioengineered (man-made) injectable form of long-acting insulin that is used to regulate sugar (glucose) levels in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Individuals with type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin on their own; and individuals with type 2...
Metformin vs. Glucovance Metformin and Glucovance (glyburide/metformin) are antidiabetic medications used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and children. Glucovance contains metoformin along with another medication, glyburide. Brand names for Metformin include Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet, and Riomet. Side effects of Metformin and Glucovance that are similar include nausea, vomiting, gas, diarrhea, decreased...
What is miglitol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Miglitol is an oral medication used to control blood glucose (sugar) levels in type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors which also includes acarbose (Precose). Carbohydrates that are eaten are digested by enzymes in the intestine into smaller...
What is becaplermin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Becaplermin is a gel applied topically to diabetic ulcers on the lower limbs (foot, ankle, and leg) to promote healing of the ulcers. It belongs to a class of man-made drugs called platelet-derived growth factors or PDGFs that are similar to naturally-occurring PDGFs. Becaplermin...
What is dapagliflozin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) is an oral medication used to improve glycemia (blood glucose) control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Dapagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT2) inhibitor. It is similar to canagliflozin (Invokana) and empagliflozin (Jardiance). SGLT2 is found in the kidney tubules and is...