Though the advancement in medical sciences are peaking, there is no permanent cure to diabetes as of yet.

A responsible doctor should tell you all the adverse effects that can be caused by the drugs and as a responsible patient it is your duty to find out about all these effects and make sure you don't alter dose and frequency of the medicine.

The most common mistake that patients make now-a-days is that they will search everything from internet and will alter their medicine regime according to their will. It's good to gather knowledge from internet but one should always consult a doctor before taking any steps to alter their medication.

Here we will discuss some of the common side effects which you should keep in mind when taking medicines for diabetes.

Let us first discuss Insulin. Most of diabetics take insulin injections on a daily basis before meals. Side effects of Insulin can cause episodes of fainting due to less glucose supply to brain. It can also lead to damage to other organs, if long term.
Metforminis another common medication taken by diabetic patients. It is used as a first line of therapy in many cases. This medication in particular causes various symptoms related to digestion and bowels which includes bloating, diarrhea, gas, stomach upset and loss of appetite to name a few. This should always be taken along with food to minimize the symptoms. In rare cases it may affect kidney and liver by altering the pH of blood.
Other set of drugs most commonly used in diabetics is Sulfonylurea drugs, which includes Glimepiride, Glyburide and Glipizide. These set of drugs can cause wide array of side effects which includes skin rash and allergies, irritability, low blood glucose and stomach upset. Consult your doctor immediately if there is a rash or itching. Since these medications lower blood glucose level, always carry a source of carbohydrate. A proper diet chart drafted by a healthcare provider is always an add on.
Pioglitazone is also a common drug used in diabetic therapy. This drug can cause side effects like swelling and fluid retention. It should not be taken by patients who are suffering from heart conditions like congestive heart failure. Patients should consult the doctor immediately if they experience nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, swelling or dark urine.
Acarbose and Miglitol also cause digestive side effects like metformin like gas, diarrhea, heartburns, etc.
Colesevelam and other Bile acid sequestrating drugs can cause constipations in some patients and diarrhea in others. It may also cause gas, heartburns and headache. You should check your blood cholesterol and lipid levels before taking this medication.