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Is There Some Method To What Anti-Diabetic Drugs The Doctor May Prescribe To YOU Or Do They Just Pick It Out Of The Air?

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭
Inverary, ON

I’m sure many wonder, why is the Doc prescribing this for me

The answer is quite simple

Most Doctors at least in the member countries of this group use Treatment Guidelines established by a panel of experts specifically for the treatment of Type 2

The various drugs are separated into 4 Tiers

The only Tier 1 drug is Metformin – why is it prescribed first?

Because it allows the patient to do their part, start eating better, lose some weight and exercise which will limit the “self induced”… read more

October 2
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View reactions
A DiabetesTeam Member

GrahamLamb.. Thanks for such interesting information i love learning about lives of people in other places. Do you have a blog somewhere that you share info? You seem so intelligent about all. Thanks for all you share to help us. You do a great job.

October 6 (edited)
A DiabetesTeam Member

@A DiabetesTeam Member but we do pay the taxes that pay for "all the free stuff"

My personal income tax rate is 32% then every dollar you spend gets whacked with a 13% Harmonized Sales tax (which means every dollar you make and spend gives you 59 cents worth of (product)) and gas is currently selling for $5.32 (US gallon equivalent) which contains a whack of taxes

Maybe great if you need a couple grand worth of "free medical care" per month, not so great if you don't

Canada won't let you die but they take 40% of every dollar you make practically off the top for an "average" income earner

October 3
A DiabetesTeam Member

@A DiabetesTeam Member the US really is a Capitalist/User Pay country - Canada/UK are "socialist" which does have it's benefits but regardless of whatever system is in use it's the leadership and massive government waste that changes what could be great in to barely mediocre

Like here an MRI is free but you may have to wait up to a year to get an appointment and there is no "domestic option" even if you are willing to pay for it yourself - everybody waits in the same line...

October 5
A DiabetesTeam Member

Doctors follow established treatment guidelines when prescribing anti-diabetic drugs for type 2 diabetes. These guidelines are based on expert recommendations and consider various factors such as the patient's overall health, blood sugar levels, and other conditions. Here's a breakdown of the tiers and drug classes:

Tier Show Full Answer

Doctors follow established treatment guidelines when prescribing anti-diabetic drugs for type 2 diabetes. These guidelines are based on expert recommendations and consider various factors such as the patient's overall health, blood sugar levels, and other conditions. Here's a breakdown of the tiers and drug classes:

Tier 1
- Metformin: First-line treatment. Helps control blood sugar by limiting glucose production in the liver. Encourages lifestyle changes like better diet and exercise.

Tier 2
If A1C remains at 7.0% or higher, one of the following classes may be added:
- DPP-4 Inhibitors: e.g., Trajenta, Januvia. Prolongs insulin activity.
- GLP-1 Agonists: e.g., Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity. Enhances insulin secretion, aids weight loss, and offers cardiovascular protection.
- SGLT-2 Inhibitors: e.g., Jardiance, Invokana, Farxiga. Removes glucose via urine, independent of insulin levels, and protects kidneys.

Tier 3
If A1C is still above 7.0%, a second drug from a different class in Tier 2 can be added.

Tier 4
If three-drug regimens fail, insulin therapy is typically introduced. However, some last-resort options include:
- Sulfonylureas: Stimulates insulin release but can cause dangerously low blood sugar.
- TZDs: Initially promising but now restricted due to severe side effects.

Doctors consider individual health factors, such as heart or kidney issues, risk of low blood sugar, and weight management needs, when prescribing these medications.

October 2
A DiabetesTeam Member

@A DiabetesTeam Member BC, where they tax the snot out of you for simply trying to "recycle dinosaurs", you are always about 25 cents/litre more then here in True Blue Ontario where they gouge us with just a little smaller trowel 😁

October 6

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