Pharmacological Treatment of Diabetes February 23, 2001

Pharmacological Treatment of Diabetes February 23, 2001

Commonly used medications can be divided into three categories: ① Sulfonylureas; ② Biguanides; ③ Insulin. Sulfonylureas: D860, Youjiangtang (glyburide), Disha (glipizide), Damai Kang (glimepiride), Tangshiping (glisquidone). Biguanides: Jiangtangling, Metformin; the former is 25 mg, taken three times daily, while the latter is 250 mg, taken three times daily. Oral insulin: Regular insulin, intermediate-acting insulin, long-acting insulin. Sulfonylureas are suitable for thin patients with type 2 diabetes who do not have arteriosclerosis or hyperlipidemia; biguanides are suitable for obese patients with type 2 diabetes who also have arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Insulin is suitable for type 1 diabetes. Recent views suggest that insulin is suitable for all diabetic patients and is the preferred drug for preventing diabetic complications; the earlier it is used, the better.