Diabetes can take a serious toll on your body. The good news is that you can manage the condition better with proper diabetes medication. However, it takes round-the-clock effort and commitment to follow the right diabetes medication plan. Failure to which, you could experience more severe complications.
In this article, we’ll discuss insightful tips to help you get the most out of diabetes medication.
Top Considerations When Using Diabetes Medication
- Pay attention to the safety of the drugs
Sadly, not all drug manufacturers have the patients’ best interests at heart. If you are not cautious, you could end up with counterfeit drugs. Therefore, it’s important to check the reviews of the specific drugs you want to buy so you save yourself from inauthentic drugs.
Additionally, there are different medications for each type of diabetes. It would help if you worked closely with your physician to determine which drug is right for you.
Some of the drugs have been linked with dangerous side effects. That’s why you must be careful with diabetes medication, and if anything goes wrong, contact a skilled attorney to help you pursue compensation through a diabetes medication lawsuit.
- Establish if you are fit for the drugs
Before prescription, your physician should perform both random and fasting blood sugar tests to establish the blood sugar levels. The tests are meant to prevent misdiagnosis or prescription of the wrong drugs.
There are two main types of diabetes, both of which require specific medication. For instance, a type-1 diabetes patient should not be prescribed type-2 diabetes drugs.
Antidiabetics are strong, and your doctor must confirm that you are given the right ones to avoid further complications. Otherwise, you may be at risk of developing heart failure and other deadly complications.
- Follow the prescription
This might sound pretty obvious. But you would be surprised to know that about 50% of patients do not take medication as prescribed.
Some may overdose, hoping to get faster results. Others may skip the medication due to the fear of side effects, or as soon as they notice an improvement in blood sugar levels, they assume that they need to continue with treatment.
You must follow the doctor’s prescription for best results. If you notice any side effects, inform your physician to learn how you can control your situation before it gets out of hand.
- Be careful with your diet
Part of the proper use of diabetes medication is to ensure you are taking the right meals at the right time. Avoid taking your meds on an empty stomach, as that will accelerate gastrointestinal side effects.
For instance, metformin lowers blood sugar levels by reducing the carbohydrates absorbed in your body. In the process, you may experience stomach pain, diarrhea or constipation, and bloating. Eating before taking your medication will help minimize the discomfort.
- Accept that medications are just a compliment, not a treatment plan
Taking diabetes medication alone is not enough to manage diabetes. The meds are a compliment and not a replacement for living a healthy lifestyle.
You must be willing to eat healthily and engage in physical exercises such as aerobics. Change your lifestyle and avoid indulging in activities that could compromise your treatment. Stay away from drugs and alcohol. Avoid high-cholesterol foods and, most importantly, evade stress.
Final thoughts
Diabetes can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. Things worsen if you fail to pay attention to diabetes medication as you could end up with worse complications like cancer and heart failure.
The good news is that observing the factors highlighted above can ensure that you get the most out of your diabetes medication and succeed in managing your condition.