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Drug Safety for Type 2 Diabetes Patients

More than 20 million Americans suffer from diabetes, and the whopping majority of those—90 to 95 percent—have type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes. Individuals who suffer from this type of diabetes often must take oral medications to help control blood sugar levels. There are currently several different drugs on the market that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating type 2 diabetes and they include Actos, Avandia and Starlix.

If you have type 2 diabetes and have been prescribed one of these drugs or your physician is considering putting you on one, you should be aware of the various risks and benefits of each.

Actos

The FDA approved Actos (pioglitazone) in July 1999 for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Together with a healthy diet and exercise, Actos helps improve and control blood sugar levels.

Actos belongs to a class of drugs that has been linked to an increased risk of serious liver injury, including liver failure and death. Another serious risk associated with Actos is congestive heart failure, and the drug's label now carries a bold black box discussing this risk. Other side effects of the drug may include fluid retention, muscle pain, headache, and sinus inflammation.

Avandia

Like Actos, Avandia (rosiglitazone) is used to control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients. Avandia is also associated with an increased risk of liver failure, heart failure, stroke, heart attack and death. In fact, recent studies have shown that Avandia increases the risk of heart attack by more than 40 percent. An FDA advisory panel recommended in July that Avandia remain on the market despite these risks.

Starlix

Starlix (nateglinide) has been on the market since December 2000 when the FDA approved it for use in treating type 2 diabetes. This drug is specifically used in patients who have high blood sugar levels that cannot be controlled with diet and exercise and other medications.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most commonly reported side effect in patients taking Starlix, but upper respiratory infection, diarrhea, back pain, and joint infection are among some of the others.

Talk with Your Doctor

If you have questions about type 2 diabetes medications, your doctor is your best resource and he or she can discuss your best options. Of course, if you are already taking a type 2 diabetes medication and experience any unusual side effects, you should contact you physician immediately.

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