two diabetes medications in one, such as glipizide and metformin, and saxagliptin and metformin. Taking one pill makes for easier dosing and reduces the chance that you’ll forget your medication.
Take Insulin
Another option is to add insulin to your oral diabetes drug or switch to insulin. Your doctor may recommend insulin therapy if your A1C level is very far from your goal or you have symptoms of high blood sugar, such as thirst or fatigue. Your A1C level shows your blood sugar control over the last two to three months.
Taking insulin can give your pancreas a break. Insulin can help manage your blood sugar quickly and may help you feel better.
Increasing your insulin dose may help you control your blood sugar.
If you are overweight, excess fat makes your body more resistant to the effects of insulin. You may need to take extra injections of short-or-rapid acting insulin every day to get your blood sugar within a healthy range.
Insulin comes in several forms, classified by how quickly they work, their peak time, and how long it lasts. Rapid-acting insulin starts working quickly after a meal and usually lasts around two to four hours. Long-acting insulin medications are typically taken once a day and used to control blood sugar between meals or overnight.
Diabetes Management: Why Black People Need a Trustworthy Doctor
Stay in Close Contact with Your Doctor
Switching to a new medication won’t necessarily immediately correct your blood sugar levels. You may need to tweak your dosage or try several different drugs before you get control over your diabetes.
Try to see your doctor about once every three months to go over your blood sugar and A1C levels. Visits with your doctor will help determine if your oral medication is controlling your blood sugar. If not, you’ll need to add another drug to your treatment or switch medications.