Medications are an important part of managing your type 2 diabetes. There are a lot of different medications that are used—many times in combination—to help regulate your blood sugar and prevent long term complications from high blood sugars. Learn how the different medications and work and how they affect your blood sugars. Your doctor will help you understand which is best to treat your diabetes.
Metformin
Metaformin is the most commonly used oral medication in type 2 diabetes and is recommended by the American Diabetes Association as the first treatment option for most people with diabetes. It is very effective at reducing blood sugars and works in several ways. Metformin decreases glucose production and absorption in the intestine, and increases the body’s sensitivity to the naturally occurring insulin made in your pancreas. Metformin also may benefit your heart health.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RA)
Medications in the GLP-1-RA class work by mimicking a naturally occurring protein in your body that helps increase your own body’s insulin secretion when you eat, and slows the time it takes your stomach to feel empty. Another benefit of these medications is that they can help prevent heart attacks and strokes, and may help with weight loss. Most of these medications are once weekly or daily injectable medications, but there is a tablet form available as well. The generic names of these medications typically end in –glutide.
Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT-2i)
SGLT2 inhibitors are the newest class of medication changing the game for people with type 2 diabetics. These oral medications work by blocking sugar absorption in your kidneys, causing some sugar to leave your body in your urine and decrease your blood sugar level. These are daily tablets you take, typically in the morning, as they may increase how often you use the bathroom during the day. The generic name of these medications end in –gliflozin. These medications may also be used for your kidneys and heart failure.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that occurs naturally in your body and is secreted by the pancreas. Taking insulin replaces your own body’s insulin if it is no longer able make enough of it or any at all. Insulin works by helping your body use the sugar in your blood for energy, causing your blood sugar to decrease.
This is a highly effective medication, but requires at least once daily blood sugar checks, so it is commonly used in patients with a higher A1C. It is the diabetes medication most likely to cause low blood sugar, which is also why it is important to track your blood sugar more closely when using insulin. Insulin comes in long-acting formulations that provide steady insulin levels throughout the day, as well as fast acting formulations that are taken with meals to cover blood sugar spikes that can occur with eating.
Talk with a Medical Professional about Diabetes Medications
There are also other types of diabetes medications that work in different ways but are less commonly used. Some of these include sulfonylureas (such as glipizide or glyburide), thiazolidinediones (such as pioglitazone), and DPP-4 inhibitors (ending in –gliptin), as well as others. Ask your primary care provider, endocrinologist, or pharmacist for more information or to explain how these medications work against diabetes.