Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDietExerciseOral MedicationsInsulinOther InjectablesSurgeryFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Diet
Exercise
Oral Medications
Insulin
Other Injectables
Surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
There are standard treatments for type 2 diabetes, but each person’s needs are different. Your healthcare team will consider many factors when determining the right treatment for you.
This article will review the different non-medical and medical treatments for type 2 diabetes, including exercise, diet, oral pills, and injectable medications.
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Diet is a major part of a diabetes treatment plan. Your diet can help you get your blood sugar under control. Your blood sugar levels go up after you eat a meal high in carbohydrates. This is especially true if the meal contained highglycemic indexfoods, which cause a big increase in blood sugar.
Examples of these foods include:
Eating high glycemic index foods can be especially harmful if you have diabetes and blood sugar dysregulation.
Another essential part of a treatment plan for most people with diabetes isexercise. The basic recommendation is to get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly.
Getting regular physical activity if you have diabetes can help lower blood sugar levels, but the benefits don’t stop there. Regular physical activity also helps:
Some people with diabetes have physical differences or frailty that limit the amount and type of exercise they can do.
Most people with diabetes need medication in addition to diet and exercise to control their blood sugar. While people with type 1 diabetes require insulin, people with type 2 diabetes can often be treated withoral medication.
There are several classes of oral diabetes medications. Each type works differently and can have different side effects ranging from gastrointestinal symptoms to low blood sugar. The various classes of oral diabetes medication and examples are listed below:
Oral medications can be combined when one medication alone is not enough to lower blood sugar.
While oral medication can control blood sugar for some people with diabetes, it doesn’t always work for everyone. If more aggressive treatment is needed, insulin and other injectables are the next steps. This is especially true for people with very high blood sugar levels and people who have had diabetes for many years.
Choosing Between Oral Diabetes MedicationsThe choice of oral medication is an individualized decision. Your healthcare provider will consider factors like a medication’s effectiveness and tolerability, as well as any other medical conditions you have.Metformin is commonly prescribed to start because it is well-tolerated and inexpensive. It also has the possible benefit of reducing heart disease.SGLT2 inhibitorsand GLP-1 agonists are beneficial for people with heart disease.
Choosing Between Oral Diabetes Medications
The choice of oral medication is an individualized decision. Your healthcare provider will consider factors like a medication’s effectiveness and tolerability, as well as any other medical conditions you have.Metformin is commonly prescribed to start because it is well-tolerated and inexpensive. It also has the possible benefit of reducing heart disease.SGLT2 inhibitorsand GLP-1 agonists are beneficial for people with heart disease.
The choice of oral medication is an individualized decision. Your healthcare provider will consider factors like a medication’s effectiveness and tolerability, as well as any other medical conditions you have.
Metformin is commonly prescribed to start because it is well-tolerated and inexpensive. It also has the possible benefit of reducing heart disease.SGLT2 inhibitorsand GLP-1 agonists are beneficial for people with heart disease.
Insulin is rarely used as the sole therapy for diabetes. It should be combined with dietary changes and exercise. In people with type 2 diabetes, insulin can be given in addition to oral diabetes medications.
In a person withtype 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make insulin which means injectable insulin is required. In type 2 diabetes, starting insulin is recommended when a person’s blood sugar is very poorly controlled (A1C >10% or blood glucose >300 mg/dL) or when three months of triple oral combination therapy has not resulted in blood sugar control.
Types of Insulin
The types of insulin range fromrapid-acting(acts within 15 minutes and wears off after 2-4 hours) toultra-long acting(acts within 6 hours and wears off after 36 hours).
A typical insulin regimen includes longer-acting insulin delivered once or twice a day and rapid-acting insulin dosed before meals.
In addition to oral medications and insulin, there are several injectable medications to help control blood sugar. These include:
These medications can be injected as often as before every meal to weekly, depending on the specific medication.GLP-1 agonistshave weight loss as a possible side effect, which can be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
When prescribing an injectable medication for diabetes, your healthcare provider will work with you to outline a plan that also includes diet, exercise, and oral medication.
Studies have shown thatbariatric (weight loss) surgerysignificantly improves blood sugar control in people with diabetes and obesity. For some people, the weight loss even results in diabetes remission.
One year after bariatric surgery, between 33% and 90% of people are considered to be in remission and do not require blood sugar-lowering medications.
People with diabetes who have a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 35 kg/m2 might be candidates for bariatric surgery.
While surgery is more invasive than medical therapy, it has the following advantages:
Summary
There are several options for treating type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can help lower blood sugar and are recommended for most people with diabetes.
Medications are often needed in type 2 diabetes to achieve blood sugar control. Options include oral medications, injectables, and insulin. Bariatric surgery can be beneficial for people with both diabetes and obesity.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMetformin is a commonly prescribed diabetes medication because it is affordable and has a tolerable side effect profile, but there are other medications that can be prescribed for diabetes.Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT-2 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones are a few other classes of medications that can help lower blood sugar.Learn MoreAn Overview of Oral Diabetes MedicationDepending on the class, diabetes medications can have side effects like weight change, gastrointestinal symptoms, fluid retention, and infections of the upper respiratory tract and urinary tract.Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a potentially serious side effect of some diabetes medications, including insulin, sulfonylureas, and meglitinides.While type 1 diabetes requires insulin replacement, some people with type 2 diabetes can be treated without medications. Making dietary changes, getting regular physical activity, and achieving a healthy weight can go a long way to getting your blood sugar levels under control.Some people are able to put their type 2 diabetes into remission with these lifestyle adjustments and do not require medication.Learn MoreCan You Reverse Type 2 Diabetes?
Metformin is a commonly prescribed diabetes medication because it is affordable and has a tolerable side effect profile, but there are other medications that can be prescribed for diabetes.Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT-2 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones are a few other classes of medications that can help lower blood sugar.Learn MoreAn Overview of Oral Diabetes Medication
Metformin is a commonly prescribed diabetes medication because it is affordable and has a tolerable side effect profile, but there are other medications that can be prescribed for diabetes.Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT-2 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones are a few other classes of medications that can help lower blood sugar.
Metformin is a commonly prescribed diabetes medication because it is affordable and has a tolerable side effect profile, but there are other medications that can be prescribed for diabetes.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, SGLT-2 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones are a few other classes of medications that can help lower blood sugar.
Learn MoreAn Overview of Oral Diabetes Medication
Depending on the class, diabetes medications can have side effects like weight change, gastrointestinal symptoms, fluid retention, and infections of the upper respiratory tract and urinary tract.Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a potentially serious side effect of some diabetes medications, including insulin, sulfonylureas, and meglitinides.
Depending on the class, diabetes medications can have side effects like weight change, gastrointestinal symptoms, fluid retention, and infections of the upper respiratory tract and urinary tract.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is a potentially serious side effect of some diabetes medications, including insulin, sulfonylureas, and meglitinides.
While type 1 diabetes requires insulin replacement, some people with type 2 diabetes can be treated without medications. Making dietary changes, getting regular physical activity, and achieving a healthy weight can go a long way to getting your blood sugar levels under control.Some people are able to put their type 2 diabetes into remission with these lifestyle adjustments and do not require medication.Learn MoreCan You Reverse Type 2 Diabetes?
While type 1 diabetes requires insulin replacement, some people with type 2 diabetes can be treated without medications. Making dietary changes, getting regular physical activity, and achieving a healthy weight can go a long way to getting your blood sugar levels under control.Some people are able to put their type 2 diabetes into remission with these lifestyle adjustments and do not require medication.
While type 1 diabetes requires insulin replacement, some people with type 2 diabetes can be treated without medications. Making dietary changes, getting regular physical activity, and achieving a healthy weight can go a long way to getting your blood sugar levels under control.
Some people are able to put their type 2 diabetes into remission with these lifestyle adjustments and do not require medication.
Learn MoreCan You Reverse Type 2 Diabetes?
16 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.National Health Service (NHS).What is the glycaemic index (GI)?.American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.5. Facilitating positive health behaviors and well-being to improve health outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024[published correction appears in Diabetes Care. 2024 Apr 1;47(4):761-762].Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S77-S110. doi:10.2337/dc24-S005Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Living with diabetes: Get active!.Colberg SR, Sigal RJ, Yardley JE, et al.Physical activity/exercise and diabetes: a position statement of the American Diabetes Association.Diabetes Care. 2016;39(11):2065-2079. doi:10.2337/dc16-1728Harrington, D. and Henson, J.Physical activity and exercise in the management of type 2 diabetes: where to start?.Pract Diab. 2021;38(5):35-40b. doi:10.1002/pdi.2361American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.9. Pharmacologic approaches to glycemic treatment:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S158-S178. doi:10.2337/dc24-S009American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.10. Cardiovascular disease and risk management:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S179-S218. doi:10.2337/dc24-S010American College of Cardiology (ACC).SGLT1 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists: indications.Chun J, Strong J, Urquhart S.Insulin initiation and titration in patients with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Spectr.2019; 32(2):104–111. doi:10.2337/ds18-0005American Diabetes Association (ADA).Insulin basics.Feingold KR.Oral and injectable (non-insulin) pharmacological agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., eds.Endotext. MDText.com, Inc.; 2000.Ard J, Fitch A, Fruh S, Herman L.Weight loss and maintenance related to the mechanism of action of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists.Adv Ther. 2021;38(6):2821-2839. doi:10.1007/s12325-021-01710-0Affinati AH, Esfandiari NH, Oral EA, et al.Bariatric surgery in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.Curr Diab Rep. 2019;19(12):156. doi:10.1007/s11892-019-1269-4Doumouras AG, Lee Y, Paterson JM, et al.Association between bariatric surgery and major adverse diabetes outcomes in patients with diabetes and obesity.JAMA Netw Open.2021;4(4):e216820. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.6820American Diabetes Association (ADA).Oral medication: What are my options?.Riddle MC, Cefalu WT, Evans PH, et al.Consensus report: Definition and interpretation of remission in type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Care. 2021;44(10):2438-2444. doi:10.2337/dci21-0034
16 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.National Health Service (NHS).What is the glycaemic index (GI)?.American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.5. Facilitating positive health behaviors and well-being to improve health outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024[published correction appears in Diabetes Care. 2024 Apr 1;47(4):761-762].Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S77-S110. doi:10.2337/dc24-S005Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Living with diabetes: Get active!.Colberg SR, Sigal RJ, Yardley JE, et al.Physical activity/exercise and diabetes: a position statement of the American Diabetes Association.Diabetes Care. 2016;39(11):2065-2079. doi:10.2337/dc16-1728Harrington, D. and Henson, J.Physical activity and exercise in the management of type 2 diabetes: where to start?.Pract Diab. 2021;38(5):35-40b. doi:10.1002/pdi.2361American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.9. Pharmacologic approaches to glycemic treatment:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S158-S178. doi:10.2337/dc24-S009American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.10. Cardiovascular disease and risk management:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S179-S218. doi:10.2337/dc24-S010American College of Cardiology (ACC).SGLT1 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists: indications.Chun J, Strong J, Urquhart S.Insulin initiation and titration in patients with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Spectr.2019; 32(2):104–111. doi:10.2337/ds18-0005American Diabetes Association (ADA).Insulin basics.Feingold KR.Oral and injectable (non-insulin) pharmacological agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., eds.Endotext. MDText.com, Inc.; 2000.Ard J, Fitch A, Fruh S, Herman L.Weight loss and maintenance related to the mechanism of action of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists.Adv Ther. 2021;38(6):2821-2839. doi:10.1007/s12325-021-01710-0Affinati AH, Esfandiari NH, Oral EA, et al.Bariatric surgery in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.Curr Diab Rep. 2019;19(12):156. doi:10.1007/s11892-019-1269-4Doumouras AG, Lee Y, Paterson JM, et al.Association between bariatric surgery and major adverse diabetes outcomes in patients with diabetes and obesity.JAMA Netw Open.2021;4(4):e216820. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.6820American Diabetes Association (ADA).Oral medication: What are my options?.Riddle MC, Cefalu WT, Evans PH, et al.Consensus report: Definition and interpretation of remission in type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Care. 2021;44(10):2438-2444. doi:10.2337/dci21-0034
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.
National Health Service (NHS).What is the glycaemic index (GI)?.American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.5. Facilitating positive health behaviors and well-being to improve health outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024[published correction appears in Diabetes Care. 2024 Apr 1;47(4):761-762].Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S77-S110. doi:10.2337/dc24-S005Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Living with diabetes: Get active!.Colberg SR, Sigal RJ, Yardley JE, et al.Physical activity/exercise and diabetes: a position statement of the American Diabetes Association.Diabetes Care. 2016;39(11):2065-2079. doi:10.2337/dc16-1728Harrington, D. and Henson, J.Physical activity and exercise in the management of type 2 diabetes: where to start?.Pract Diab. 2021;38(5):35-40b. doi:10.1002/pdi.2361American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.9. Pharmacologic approaches to glycemic treatment:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S158-S178. doi:10.2337/dc24-S009American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.10. Cardiovascular disease and risk management:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S179-S218. doi:10.2337/dc24-S010American College of Cardiology (ACC).SGLT1 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists: indications.Chun J, Strong J, Urquhart S.Insulin initiation and titration in patients with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Spectr.2019; 32(2):104–111. doi:10.2337/ds18-0005American Diabetes Association (ADA).Insulin basics.Feingold KR.Oral and injectable (non-insulin) pharmacological agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., eds.Endotext. MDText.com, Inc.; 2000.Ard J, Fitch A, Fruh S, Herman L.Weight loss and maintenance related to the mechanism of action of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists.Adv Ther. 2021;38(6):2821-2839. doi:10.1007/s12325-021-01710-0Affinati AH, Esfandiari NH, Oral EA, et al.Bariatric surgery in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.Curr Diab Rep. 2019;19(12):156. doi:10.1007/s11892-019-1269-4Doumouras AG, Lee Y, Paterson JM, et al.Association between bariatric surgery and major adverse diabetes outcomes in patients with diabetes and obesity.JAMA Netw Open.2021;4(4):e216820. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.6820American Diabetes Association (ADA).Oral medication: What are my options?.Riddle MC, Cefalu WT, Evans PH, et al.Consensus report: Definition and interpretation of remission in type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Care. 2021;44(10):2438-2444. doi:10.2337/dci21-0034
National Health Service (NHS).What is the glycaemic index (GI)?.
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.5. Facilitating positive health behaviors and well-being to improve health outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024[published correction appears in Diabetes Care. 2024 Apr 1;47(4):761-762].Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S77-S110. doi:10.2337/dc24-S005
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Living with diabetes: Get active!.
Colberg SR, Sigal RJ, Yardley JE, et al.Physical activity/exercise and diabetes: a position statement of the American Diabetes Association.Diabetes Care. 2016;39(11):2065-2079. doi:10.2337/dc16-1728
Harrington, D. and Henson, J.Physical activity and exercise in the management of type 2 diabetes: where to start?.Pract Diab. 2021;38(5):35-40b. doi:10.1002/pdi.2361
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.9. Pharmacologic approaches to glycemic treatment:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S158-S178. doi:10.2337/dc24-S009
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee.10. Cardiovascular disease and risk management:Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024.Diabetes Care. 2024;47(Suppl 1):S179-S218. doi:10.2337/dc24-S010
American College of Cardiology (ACC).SGLT1 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists: indications.
Chun J, Strong J, Urquhart S.Insulin initiation and titration in patients with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Spectr.2019; 32(2):104–111. doi:10.2337/ds18-0005
American Diabetes Association (ADA).Insulin basics.
Feingold KR.Oral and injectable (non-insulin) pharmacological agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In: Feingold KR, Anawalt B, Boyce A, et al., eds.Endotext. MDText.com, Inc.; 2000.
Ard J, Fitch A, Fruh S, Herman L.Weight loss and maintenance related to the mechanism of action of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists.Adv Ther. 2021;38(6):2821-2839. doi:10.1007/s12325-021-01710-0
Affinati AH, Esfandiari NH, Oral EA, et al.Bariatric surgery in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.Curr Diab Rep. 2019;19(12):156. doi:10.1007/s11892-019-1269-4
Doumouras AG, Lee Y, Paterson JM, et al.Association between bariatric surgery and major adverse diabetes outcomes in patients with diabetes and obesity.JAMA Netw Open.2021;4(4):e216820. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.6820
American Diabetes Association (ADA).Oral medication: What are my options?.
Riddle MC, Cefalu WT, Evans PH, et al.Consensus report: Definition and interpretation of remission in type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Care. 2021;44(10):2438-2444. doi:10.2337/dci21-0034
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