What medicine can diabetics take? Latest drug guide and hot spot analysis
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease, and the number of patients worldwide continues to grow. As medical research advances, drugs to treat diabetes are constantly being updated. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide the latest drug selection guide for diabetic patients.
1. Classification and mechanism of action of diabetes drugs

According to different mechanisms of action, diabetes drugs can be divided into the following categories:
| drug class | Representative medicine | Mechanism of action | Applicable people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biguanides | Metformin | Inhibits hepatic glycogenolysis and increases glucose utilization by peripheral tissues | First choice for patients with type 2 diabetes |
| Sulfonylureas | Glibenclamide, glimepiride | Stimulates pancreatic beta cells to secrete insulin | Type 2 diabetes patients with preserved pancreatic islet function |
| DPP-4 inhibitors | sitagliptin, vildagliptin | Inhibits DPP-4 enzyme and increases GLP-1 levels | People with type 2 diabetes, especially those who are obese |
| GLP-1 receptor agonists | Liraglutide, semaglutide | Mimics the effect of GLP-1 and promotes insulin secretion | Type 2 diabetes patients who need to lose weight |
| SGLT-2 inhibitors | empagliflozin, dapagliflozin | Inhibits renal reabsorption of glucose | Type 2 diabetes patients, especially those with cardiovascular disease |
| insulin | Rapid-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting insulin | Direct supplementation of exogenous insulin | Type 1 diabetes and some type 2 diabetes patients |
2. Inventory of recent popular diabetes drugs
According to hot online discussions and medical information in the past 10 days, the following diabetes drugs have received widespread attention:
| Drug name | Category | Hot reasons | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| semaglutide | GLP-1 receptor agonists | Significant weight loss effect, it is hotly discussed as the "miraculous weight loss drug" | Requires a doctor's prescription, gastrointestinal reactions may occur |
| empagliflozin | SGLT-2 inhibitors | Proven to reduce risk of cardiovascular events | Be aware of the risk of urinary tract infection |
| Insulin degludec | long acting insulin | The action time is up to 42 hours, making it more convenient to use | Blood sugar needs to be monitored to prevent hypoglycemia |
| Metformin extended-release tablets | Biguanides | Less gastrointestinal reactions and better tolerated by patients | Use with caution in patients with renal insufficiency |
3. Principles of diabetes drug selection
1.individualized treatment: Select drugs based on the patient’s age, disease course, complications, etc.
2.Security first: Consider the adverse reactions and contraindications of the drug
3.economic considerations: Long-term medication needs to consider the financial burden
4.Combination medication: When a single drug is ineffective, combination therapy may be considered
5.Regular assessment: Timely adjust the medication plan according to the treatment effect
4. Precautions for medication use in special groups
| crowd | Recommended medicine | avoid medications | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| elderly patients | Metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors | Sulfonylureas (easily cause hypoglycemia) | Start with a small dose and increase slowly |
| renal insufficiency | Gliquidone, linagliptin | Metformin, SGLT-2 inhibitors | Adjust dose based on eGFR |
| abnormal liver function | Insulin, glimepiride | Most oral hypoglycemic drugs | Monitor liver function closely |
| Pregnancy | insulin | All oral antidiabetic drugs | Strict blood sugar control |
5. Latest Research Progress in Diabetes Drug Treatment
1.Oral insulin studies: Many pharmaceutical companies are developing oral insulin preparations, which are expected to change the current situation that insulin must be injected.
2.stem cell therapy: Using stem cells to regenerate pancreatic beta cell function, some clinical trials have achieved positive results
3.Smart insulin: "Smart insulin" that can automatically adjust the release amount according to blood sugar levels is under development
4.Intestinal flora regulation: Research finds that regulating intestinal flora may become a new target for diabetes treatment
6. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions by Patients
Q: Is metformin really the best antidiabetic drug?
A: Metformin is recommended as a first-line drug for type 2 diabetes because of its accurate efficacy, low price, and good safety. However, it is not suitable for all patients and needs to be evaluated by a doctor.
Q: Can GLP-1 receptor agonists replace insulin?
A: GLP-1 receptor agonists cannot completely replace insulin, especially for patients with type 1 diabetes and advanced type 2 diabetes who still require insulin treatment.
Q: How effective are traditional Chinese medicine hypoglycemic drugs?
A: Some traditional Chinese medicines have certain effects in assisting in lowering blood sugar, but they cannot replace regular anti-hyperglycemic drugs. You should consult a doctor before use.
Conclusion:
Diabetes drug treatment plans should be formulated on an individual basis, and patients should not choose drugs or adjust dosages by themselves. The drug information provided in this article is for reference only. Please follow your doctor's advice for specific medication. At the same time, drug treatment must be combined with diet control and appropriate exercise to achieve the best sugar control effect.
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