Q: What is the best medicine for Diabetes and should it be taken before or after meals? How does the medicine control glucose level in blood-whether it activates the pancreas to increase insulin production or directly or chemically controlling the sugar level?

A:Medicines used to treat diabetes are of several types. Some act by stimulating pancreas to produce insulin (sulphonylureas), whereas others act by improving action of insulin (biguanides, glitazones). Still others act by reducing absorption of carbohydrates from the gut (acarbose). The time of administration depends on the drug; some are taken before, some after, and some with meals.