• Understanding Insulin
• Oral Medications
• Generic Drugs
 

• Generic Drugs

To avoid the high cost of regular drug use, many people prefer to switch to generic drugs. Only two commonly prescribed oral antidiabetic drugs are available generically: tolbutamide and chlorpropamide. While many generic drugs are safe, the Food and Drug Administration says that these generics may not be as effective as the nongeneric items. Batches of the generic drugs have been recalled, while in 22 or more years of production none of the nongeneric antidiabetic drugs have been recalled.
Generic antidiabetic drugs can be harmful if they work too quickly or strongly, because a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) reaction may occur. Also, if the drug isn't as strong as it should be, your blood sugar level may become elevated without warning. If you want to switch from one brand to another, do so only under your physician's supervision. If your diabetes is stabilized with one particular product, you might jeopardize that control by switching to one to which your system reacts differently, advises the American Diabetes Association.
Use of generics in control of diabetes requires caution. Making an unmonitored switch from a prescribed brand to a generic may mean loss of diabetes control. In that case your cost in additional medical attention may more than outweigh any savings realized from purchasing the generic products.
Because some generic products cost less than their prescription equivalents, many physicians write prescriptions for the generic drugs. If your physician thinks a generic drug will work well for you, he or she will so indicate on your prescription.
Whether you use injected insulin or an oral medication, it will be regular use of the preparation, plus diet, a regular exercise program, and a good mental outlook, that will help control your disease. Medication alone won't do the job. The combined treatment approach works best.