What if I take diabetes pills ?

Medication

What if I am taking diabetes pills?

Sometimes a healthy way of eating and regular activity alone are not enough to lower blood sugar levels. Some people will also require diabetes pills to lower their blood sugar. These pills should always be taken around meal times, as prescribed by your doctor.

Types of pills:		How they work:
Sulfonylureas	These stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin. When taking these pills., it is very important to eat three regular meals a day
Biguandies	These help your body to use sugar more efficiently.
Acarbose	This type prolongs the absorption of carbohydrate after a meal. You must eat for these pills to work.

Your doctor may prescribe one or more types of pills to help you control your diabetes.

If you are on diabetes pills and you begin to feel:

shaky

weak

sweaty

dizzy

confused

your blood sugar may be too low.

Take some form of sugar such as:

4 oz. juice or regular pop (not diet);

2 packages of sugar: or

3-4 Lifesavers

If you are having repeated low blood sugar symptoms, contact your doctor.

Always carry some form of sugar with you.

Monitoring your blood sugar:

If you are taking diabetes pills to help control your blood sugar, it can be helpful to test your blood sugar level at home. Knowing your blood sugar levels will help you and your health care team manage your diabetes. Healthcare professionals at your diabetes education centre can teach you how to test your blood sugar level.

Take action

Always take your diabetes pills regularly, even when you start to feel better.

Watch for symptoms of low blood sugar before, during or after activity.

Learn more about testing your blood sugar level at home.

Regularly monitor your blood glucose (sugar)levels either through your doctor's office or at home with a blood glucose monitor.