Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsType 2 Diabetes MedicationsType 2 Diabetes SymptomsCausesDiagnosisComplicationsNutrition Considerations
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Type 2 Diabetes Medications
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Complications
Nutrition Considerations
For some people, type 2 diabetes can be managed with lifestyle modifications alone (changes in diet and regular exercise). However, typically, type 2 diabetes is treated with medication plus lifestyle modifications.
The following article includes several classes ofmedications that treat type 2 diabetes. Each class works in a different way to lower your blood sugar.
The Importance of LifestyleLifestyle modifications like the following are vital to treating type 2 diabetes:Healthy eatingExercisingMaintaining a healthy weightIf lifestyle modifications are not enough to maintain your blood sugar levels, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to treat your condition.
The Importance of Lifestyle
Lifestyle modifications like the following are vital to treating type 2 diabetes:Healthy eatingExercisingMaintaining a healthy weightIf lifestyle modifications are not enough to maintain your blood sugar levels, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to treat your condition.
Lifestyle modifications like the following are vital to treating type 2 diabetes:
If lifestyle modifications are not enough to maintain your blood sugar levels, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to treat your condition.
What Medications Are Available for Type 2 Diabetes?
Sometimes, one medication is enough. However, in some cases, a combination of different medications may work better to manage your type 2 diabetes.
Biguanides
Biguanideslimit glucose production in the liver, limit absorption of glucose in the intestines, and increase insulin sensitivity:
Metformin (brand name Glumetza) is the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes.
What Are Insulin and Insulin Sensitivity, Anyway?Insulinis a hormone produced in your pancreas. When you eat foods high in carbohydrates, a healthy pancreas produces just the right amount of insulin. Your insulin then lowers your blood sugar.However, if your pancreas has been damaged or isn’t working as well due to a disease like diabetes, it might not be able to produce as much insulin. This can cause uncontrolled blood sugar levels, leading to other serious health issues.Insulin sensitivityis how well your body uses insulin to lower blood sugar. People with impaired insulin sensitivity have built up a tolerance to insulin. This makes the hormone less effective at lowering blood sugar. However, there are ways to help the body use insulin better (increasing insulin sensitivity).Exercise helps your body use insulin well. Specific medications can also help.Your healthcare provider will work with you to plan which course is best.
What Are Insulin and Insulin Sensitivity, Anyway?
Insulinis a hormone produced in your pancreas. When you eat foods high in carbohydrates, a healthy pancreas produces just the right amount of insulin. Your insulin then lowers your blood sugar.However, if your pancreas has been damaged or isn’t working as well due to a disease like diabetes, it might not be able to produce as much insulin. This can cause uncontrolled blood sugar levels, leading to other serious health issues.Insulin sensitivityis how well your body uses insulin to lower blood sugar. People with impaired insulin sensitivity have built up a tolerance to insulin. This makes the hormone less effective at lowering blood sugar. However, there are ways to help the body use insulin better (increasing insulin sensitivity).Exercise helps your body use insulin well. Specific medications can also help.Your healthcare provider will work with you to plan which course is best.
Insulinis a hormone produced in your pancreas. When you eat foods high in carbohydrates, a healthy pancreas produces just the right amount of insulin. Your insulin then lowers your blood sugar.
However, if your pancreas has been damaged or isn’t working as well due to a disease like diabetes, it might not be able to produce as much insulin. This can cause uncontrolled blood sugar levels, leading to other serious health issues.
Insulin sensitivityis how well your body uses insulin to lower blood sugar. People with impaired insulin sensitivity have built up a tolerance to insulin. This makes the hormone less effective at lowering blood sugar. However, there are ways to help the body use insulin better (increasing insulin sensitivity).
Exercise helps your body use insulin well. Specific medications can also help.
Your healthcare provider will work with you to plan which course is best.
Meglitinides
Meglitinidesincrease the release of insulin from the beta cells in the pancreas:
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Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureasincrease the release of insulin from the beta cells in the pancreas:
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)
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Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2s)
Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2s)reduce the reabsorption of filtered glucose in the kidneys and increase the elimination of glucose in the kidneys through urine:
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors (DPP4s)
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors (DPP4s)increase the release of insulin when blood sugar is rising and decreases the production of glucose in the liver:
Glucagon-Like Peptide Agonists (GLP1s)
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Amylin Mimetics
Amylin Mimeticshelp regulate blood sugar and slow food moving through the stomach.
Synthetic Forms of Insulin
Synthetic Forms of Insulinare injected to mimic the function of normal insulin in the body. Depending on your condition, various types of insulin are available (long and short-acting).
Side Effects
The side effects of type 2 diabetes medications based on drug class are as follows:
Biguanideside effects include the following:
Meglitinideside effects include the following:
Sulfolylureas
Sulfolylureaside effects include the following:
TZDside effects include the following:
Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2s)
SGLT2side effects include the following:
DPP4sside effects include the following:
GLP1side effects include the following:
Amylin mimeticside effects include the following:
Insulin
Insulinside effects include the following:
How Effective Are Different Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes?
All of the medications discussed in this article effectively treat type 2 diabetes. These treatments work best when used with eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.
Only people with type 2 diabetes can use oral medications to manage their diabetes. People withtype 1 diabetesmust use insulin. Oral medications may not work for everyone, especially if:
Pills for diabetes may stop working after a few months or years. The cause of this is still being studied. And when this happens, it does not necessarily mean that your type 2 diabetes is getting worse. Combining different oral medications often helps when this occurs.
Treatment plans for type 2 diabetes may vary from person to person. What works for someone else may not work for you.
Also, your healthcare provider may suggest trying more than one type of medication or combination to figure out which plan works best for you.
How Long Do The Treatments Take to Work?
The time it takes for the treatments of type 2 diabetes to work may be different for everyone.
In some cases, your healthcare provider may require you tocheck your blood sugarregularly to ensure that your blood sugar is staying controlled on your current treatment plan.
Blood sugar (blood glucose) monitoring is one of the best tools to know if your blood sugar levels are within your target range.
Keeping track of your blood sugar and showing your healthcare provider your results can give them a good picture of your body’s response to your treatment plan.
If you have any concerns about how your treatment is working, please reach out to your healthcare provider.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes often goes undiagnosed because it develops gradually. Early symptoms may not be severe enough for you to question whether something is wrong.
As the disease progresses, you may experience the following:
Causes of Type 2 Diabetes
You may be at increased risk for type 2 diabetes if you:
Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes
Adults who are overweight or obese and have one or more additional risk factors should be tested for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.
In people without risk factors, testing should start at 35 years of age.
There are several different tests available to screen for diabetes. These diagnostic tests are as follows (no single test is preferred over the other):
A1C
The A1C test measures your average blood glucose for the past two to three months. Diabetes is diagnosed at an A1C of greater than or equal to 6.5%.
Fasting Plasma/Blood Glucose (FPG)
This test checks your fasting blood glucose levels. Fasting means having nothing to eat or drink (except water) for at least eight hours before a lab test, like getting your blood drawn. Diabetes is diagnosed at fasting blood glucose of greater than or equal to 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
This two-hour test checks your blood glucose levels before and two hours after you drink a special sweet drink. Diabetes is diagnosed with a two-hour blood glucose of greater than or equal to 200 milligrams per deciliter.
Random (also called Casual) Plasma Glucose Test
This test is a blood check at any time of the day when you have severe diabetes symptoms. Diabetes is diagnosed at a blood glucose of greater than or equal to 200 milligrams per deciliter.
Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
Untreated or uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can lead to the following:
Working toward a healthy weight can improve the following:
There are several diets available that have been proven to help with healthy weight loss. Generally, a low-salt diet that limits processed foods should be followed in people with type 2 diabetes.
Examples of foods to avoid or limit on a low-salt diet include:
A healthcare professional, such as aregistered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), can help determine your optimal mix of food, movement, and more. Some RDs have undergone additional training to obtain a special certification to counsel people with diabetes. Look for the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES) certification.
Summary
Type 2 diabetes can be managed with lifestyle modifications alone (changes in diet and regular exercise), but typically, type 2 diabetes is treated with medication plus lifestyle modifications.
There are several classes of medications that treat type 2 diabetes. Each class works in a different way to lower your blood sugar.
One medication may be enough, but in some cases, a combination of different medications may work better to manage your type 2 diabetes.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMetformin is the first medication that is usually chosen to treat type 2 diabetes (first-line treatment), along with healthy eating and exercise.If metformin does not work for you, any medications in the other drug classes that treat type 2 diabetes can be good alternatives for you.Heathy eatingExercisingMaintaining a healthy weight
Frequently Asked Questions
Metformin is the first medication that is usually chosen to treat type 2 diabetes (first-line treatment), along with healthy eating and exercise.
If metformin does not work for you, any medications in the other drug classes that treat type 2 diabetes can be good alternatives for you.
Heathy eatingExercisingMaintaining a healthy weight
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About type 2 diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Understanding insulin resistance.American Diabetes Association.What are my options for type 2 diabetes medications?The London Diabetes Centre.Common side effects of diabetes medication.American Diabetes Association.Type 2 diabetes medications.American Diabetes Association.Checking your blood glucose.American Diabetes Association.Understanding type 2 diabetes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes risk factors.American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.2. Diagnosis and classification of diabetes:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S20-S42. doi:10.2337/dc24-S002American Diabetes Association.Understanding diabetes diagnosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Put the brakes on diabetes complications.Provenzano LF, Stark S, Steenkiste A, et al.Dietary sodium intake in type 2 diabetes.Clin Diabetes. 2014;32(3):106-112. doi:10.2337/diaclin.32.3.106
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About type 2 diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Understanding insulin resistance.American Diabetes Association.What are my options for type 2 diabetes medications?The London Diabetes Centre.Common side effects of diabetes medication.American Diabetes Association.Type 2 diabetes medications.American Diabetes Association.Checking your blood glucose.American Diabetes Association.Understanding type 2 diabetes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes risk factors.American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.2. Diagnosis and classification of diabetes:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S20-S42. doi:10.2337/dc24-S002American Diabetes Association.Understanding diabetes diagnosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Put the brakes on diabetes complications.Provenzano LF, Stark S, Steenkiste A, et al.Dietary sodium intake in type 2 diabetes.Clin Diabetes. 2014;32(3):106-112. doi:10.2337/diaclin.32.3.106
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About type 2 diabetes.American Diabetes Association.Understanding insulin resistance.American Diabetes Association.What are my options for type 2 diabetes medications?The London Diabetes Centre.Common side effects of diabetes medication.American Diabetes Association.Type 2 diabetes medications.American Diabetes Association.Checking your blood glucose.American Diabetes Association.Understanding type 2 diabetes.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes risk factors.American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.2. Diagnosis and classification of diabetes:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S20-S42. doi:10.2337/dc24-S002American Diabetes Association.Understanding diabetes diagnosis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Put the brakes on diabetes complications.Provenzano LF, Stark S, Steenkiste A, et al.Dietary sodium intake in type 2 diabetes.Clin Diabetes. 2014;32(3):106-112. doi:10.2337/diaclin.32.3.106
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About type 2 diabetes.
American Diabetes Association.Understanding insulin resistance.
American Diabetes Association.What are my options for type 2 diabetes medications?
The London Diabetes Centre.Common side effects of diabetes medication.
American Diabetes Association.Type 2 diabetes medications.
American Diabetes Association.Checking your blood glucose.
American Diabetes Association.Understanding type 2 diabetes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Diabetes risk factors.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.2. Diagnosis and classification of diabetes:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S20-S42. doi:10.2337/dc24-S002
American Diabetes Association.Understanding diabetes diagnosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Put the brakes on diabetes complications.
Provenzano LF, Stark S, Steenkiste A, et al.Dietary sodium intake in type 2 diabetes.Clin Diabetes. 2014;32(3):106-112. doi:10.2337/diaclin.32.3.106
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