Medication for Diabetes During Pregnancy
If diet and exercise are insufficient to reduce blood glucose, insulin injections may be necessary. 10 to 20% of women with gestational diabetes require insulin to achieve their blood sugar targets. Some physicians prescribe an oral medication to maintain blood sugar levels, while others believe that more research is necessary to corroborate that oral medications are as safe and effective as injectable insulin in controlling gestational diabetes. Insulin infusions are therefore the moderate treatment for gestational diabetes.
Your doctor or healthcare provider may prescribe you fast-acting insulin to be taken before a meal, long-acting (basal) insulin or intermediate insulin to be taken before bedtime or upon waking up. In addition, your physician may recommend an oral medication such as Glucophage, Riomet (Metformin), Glynase, Micronase (glyburide), Diabeta, Glumetza, or Fortamet. You may take them as prescribed by your physician. (26)
