There are countless new medications available for the treatment of diabetes and the associated co-morbidities such as hypertension, cholesterol, and neuropathy. It is a good idea to periodically check with your health care team to see if your medications are working at their best for you, and if there are newer options available that may work better. Remember to always share with your health care provider any if your medication is giving you any side effects; or if you have stopped or reduced your medications because of expense or new insurance coverage.
A great resource for understanding your medications is your pharmacist or your Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. When you speak to them, make sure you come away knowing: the name of the medication, what it is used for, when to take it, and what to expect when you start taking it. For example, some medications such as anti-depressants can take up to a month before the best results are seen. In the case of cholesterol medications, results may not be evident for a few months. Understanding that a positive effect may not be immediate, and that potential side effects can go away with time will help you manage your expectations and reduce your worries that the medication isn’t working as it should.
When looking at medication used specifically for your diabetes control, it is important to know your HbA1c before you start the medication. This is so you can check it three months later to see if the medication has made a difference for you. In addition, checking blood sugars regularly with your Dario meter will help you see certain points in time such as fasting and post-meal readings so your health care provider can get a bigger picture of your condition and adjust dosage or add new therapies as they see fit. Checking your blood sugars regularly also allows for the ”in-range” ratio to be calculated or estimated by seeing how many of your readings are in the ‘range’ set for you by your provider which is generally between 70-180mg/dL (3.8-10.0 mmol/L), depending on when the reading is taken. Your Dario meter can graph out your time in range with multiple blood sugar readings.
To understand if medications are working for you, whether they are blood pressure or cholesterol medications, check with your health care provider to see what an acceptable test result number is for you. Remember, when taking supplements, or over the counter remedies, it is important to consult with your health care team to make sure the supplement won’t interfere with your current medication regimen and health conditions. Some cold medication can raise blood pressure, for example, and should not be taken if you have hypertension.
Medications are an important part of the treatment of diabetes. Some people can avoid medications if they adhere to a diet and exercise plan. As we age, however, our body may not be able to stay healthy without some assistance. Every person is different in their needs and how they respond to medications. Your own health care team will decide what is right for you!
Units of measurement, which are shown in some of the photos and videos, represent US standard units.
DAR 0186 RevB