A new Spanish language consumer guide to type 2 diabetes, called “Pastillas para la diabetes tipo 2,” has been released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The guide provides information on how to control type 2 and includes comparisons of oral medications. AHRQ data show that nearly one in eight Hispanics takes a prescription drug for diabetes.

"This guide offers critically important information to help Hispanics who have diabetes control their disease and avoid side effects," said AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D. She added that providing information in Spanish will help efforts to get Hispanic patients more involved in their own healthcare and to eliminate ethnic disparities in healthcare.

The guide organizes comparative research results according to diabetes patients' concerns and questions and helps them use the research results when talking with healthcare professionals about their diabetes medicines.

The guide compares 10 generic and 13 brand-name diabetes medications and explains how each works to lower blood sugar, which of them may increase body weight, which may cause side effects such as stomach problems or swelling, and each pill's potential effect on "bad" and "good" cholesterol.

The guide also warns patients to be alert for problems such as hypoglycemia, which can be caused by certain diabetes pills, as well as other potential side effects. In addition, the guide provides an easy-to-understand comparison of the dose and average cost of each generic and brand-name diabetes medication and the appropriate dose when taken in combination.

Information in the guide is based on the recent AHRQ-funded report, “Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Oral Diabetes Medications for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes.” That report, based on scientific evidence found in 216 published studies, summarizes the effectiveness, risks, and estimated costs of 10 diabetes medications. It was produced by AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program, an ongoing federal initiative that compares alternative treatments for health conditions. The program is intended to help patients, doctors, nurses, and others choose the most effective treatments.

The English language version of “Pastillas para la diabetes tipo 2” is called “Pills for Type 2 Diabetes.” Both publications, as well as many others in multiple languages, can be found on the AHRQ Effective Health Care Program website. The consumer guides can also be ordered free of charge by sending an e-mail to ahrqpubs@ahrq.hhs.gov or by calling 1-800-358-9295.

Source: PRNewswire-USNewswire/Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality