If you have diabetes and are on medications, you may be wondering if you can reduce or stop your diabetes medications. Will reducing your medication help you enjoy a better quality of life?

Since diabetes is a chronic health condition, people with diabetes usually have to stick to management options (lifestyle modifications and or medications) for life. When diet and exercise alone can't control your diabetes, your doctor may have to start you on some diabetes medicines. These medications help your blood sugar level stay closer to normal.

 

Since diabetes has no cure and the underlying problem isn't fixed, you may need to keep taking your medications continuously. But almost no one likes the idea of taking medicines for life, especially when you have to use many different medicines at different times of the day. That's why many people want to know if they can reduce or stop taking their diabetes medications when they feel fine.

Have you ever wondered if you could reduce or stop some of your diabetes medications? And can you reverse diabetes? You'll find out in a bit!

The Need for Diabetes Medication 

Why do you need diabetes medications? Several factors can predispose you to diabetes. It could be an autoimmune disease, obesity, genetics, or an inactive lifestyle. With diabetes medications, you can keep your blood sugar level in check.

If you're diagnosed with prediabetes, you can reverse it by maintaining your blood sugar levels through diet modifications, weight loss, and exercise. However, if you have diabetes, these steps may not be enough, and you may need to start taking diabetes medications.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where your body has insulin resistance. This means that your body can't produce enough insulin to regulate the amount of glucose available in your bloodstream to give you energy. If untreated, many diabetic complications like heart disease, strokes, and eye damage may arise.

To avoid diabetic complications, your doctor may introduce diabetes medications if you have abnormally high blood glucose levels. This is usually combined with diet and exercise to achieve the ultimate goal of reducing blood glucose levels.

 

Why Do You Desire to Stop?

Taking medications on a long-term basis comes with a couple of challenges. So, it is okay to have a desire to stop. 

Taking your diabetes medicines at specific times every day (and you may be on other medications) is not on the list of the easiest things in the world. While you may be tempted to stop the medications, getting off diabetes medicines isn't something you should do all by yourself. It would be best to have proper guidance and medical advice to keep your blood glucose levels within a healthy range. 

When you have a strong desire to stop your diabetes medication, you should see your doctor. Your doctor may ask you some specific questions like:

• "Do you find it challenging to keep up with your medication?"
• "Do the side effects affect your daily activities and lifestyle?"
• "Are the medications expensive?"

Before going off or tapering medications, you must be committed to keeping your diabetes under control without medicines. Your doctor will let you know if you can get off and how to get off diabetes medicine. You and your doctor may then agree to a plan to help you keep your blood glucose level in check.

However, if your blood sugar level isn't well-managed, your doctor may want you to keep taking your medications.

How To Get A Free Consultation

Getting off diabetes medicines requires the intervention of a doctor. However, people often shy away from consulting with their doctors for several reasons. For one, consulting with a doctor comes with a cost. Plus, the entire process could be time-consuming.

 

But did you know that you can get a free, virtual consultation with a doctor to find out if you can get off your diabetes medicines? Well, you can, and that's where Mednow comes in.

With Mednow, you can enjoy a free virtual consultation with expert doctors at Mednow. Scheduling a free consultation with Mednow can save you time and money. Plus, you'll be able to make more informed decisions about your health.

Does Medication Matter? 

Your doctor won't put you on medications if you don't need them. So, yes, your medications matter, and you should not joke about your diabetes treatments. Your diabetes medications can help you control your blood sugar. And if you stick to them, it can help you prevent or delay diabetic complications.

But what happens if you stop taking diabetes medicines? If you stop taking your diabetes medicines and do not modify your lifestyle, your blood sugar may be poorly controlled. This can lead to other complications like eye damage, heart disease, stroke, and more.

If your doctor places you on a single diabetes medication, like metformin, your doctor may reduce the dose in stages. But that will only happen if your blood glucose level is under control.

Interestingly, you may be able to stop taking your medication. However, it may only be for a while, and you'll have to make the right lifestyle choices. Your diet must be healthy, and you wouldn't joke about exercising.

It is easier to stop diabetes medication when only one medication like metformin is involved. In addition, you have to take frequent and consistent readings of your blood glucose levels. Other tests (like the HB A1c test) have to be done, too. And should you need help interpreting the results, you can quickly consult with Mednow's virtual doctors.

How to Reverse Diabetes?

Can diabetes be reversed? The short answer? Yes. While there is no cure for diabetes, it can be reversed. Dietary changes and significant weight loss can help you reverse diabetes, especially if the diagnosis is made early and you stick to the lifestyle modification plans.

Diabetes is an ongoing disease, and it is possible to maintain a healthy blood glucose range for years. But you must be dedicated and consistent with a healthy diet, exercise, and medications (if any). A study revealed that most people who had diabetes and made lifestyle changes like 175 minutes of weekly exercise and eating 1200–1800 calories daily had a partial remission.

However, diabetes reversal isn't a cure for diabetes. There are chances that you might develop symptoms again if you don't modify your lifestyle.

What Is Ineffective? 

There is no wonder cure for diabetes. At least not yet. So, you have to be careful not to take medications or supplements that claim to cure your diabetes. You should not substitute your diabetes medications for any of the following:

• Dietary supplements
• Homeopathic products
• Over-the-counter drugs
• Alternative medicine

Most of these products either do not contain healthy ingredients or are wrongly labelled. They are ineffective and should be avoided.

It Might Not Last Forever

Diabetes reversal may not last forever. So, even if you stick to your diet plan as prescribed by your nutritionist or you're consistent with your routine exercises and weight loss activities, you may still need to go back to taking your diabetes medication after a while.

 

This is because diabetes is a progressive disease. Therefore, your body may need to depend on the medications again after a while to give you the quality of life you desire.

Conclusion 

So, can you get rid of diabetes and diabetes medications? Diabetes can go into remission, and your body stops showing any signs of diabetes. Even without diabetes medication, you can maintain healthy blood glucose levels in some cases.

It would be best never to underestimate the importance of consulting with a qualified doctor and a nutritionist before making medication decisions. And if you need quick help and want to skip the wait time, you can consult with Mednow. 

Mednow is the only online pharmacy built by pharmacists that offer personal care and free same-day delivery of vital medications, supplements, medical supplies, and other pharmacy needs. Mednow is ready and capable of helping you with all your medication-related needs. With just a few clicks, you can know what to do about your medications.

With Mednow, you can skip wait time, get everything online (prescription and delivery), and enjoy free medication delivery in Ontario, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. Get the health boost you need now. 

This article offers general information only and is not intended as medical or other professional advice. A healthcare provider should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While the information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed, and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products, or services is expressly given or implied by Mednow or its affiliates.

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