Medications for Diabetes, Type 2

Other names: Diabetes; Noninsulin-dependent Diabetes; Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes and is characterized by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Although some symptoms may be similar, it is a different condition to type 1 diabetes.

Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, most people with type 2 diabetes still produce insulin. However, it is either not enough to deal with all the glucose that is in their blood or their cells are unable to recognize the insulin and use it properly (this is called insulin resistance).

Type 2 diabetes usually affects people who are middle-aged or older, and obesity is by far the biggest risk factor. In the past two decades, the condition has become more prevalent in younger people, including children, mainly because of the rising rates of obesity in children. People who do little exercise or of certain ethnicities (such as Native Americans, African-Americans, and Hispanics) are also at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

What are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?

Symptoms of type 2 Diabetes usually come on gradually and may be so subtle that many people do not realize they have the condition. Symptoms may include:

Always feeling thirsty
Feeling hungry, even though you eat regularly
Going to the toilet (urinating) often
Getting sick frequently, or frequent skin infections, particularly yeast or fungal infections
Infections take longer to heal
Feeling tired all the time or lacking in energy
Blurred or deteriorating vision.

How is Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosed?

Some doctors screen for diabetes in people of a certain age and it is usually always screened for in pregnant women. If you or your doctor suspects you have type 2 diabetes then they may perform a blood test on the spot that tests for blood sugar levels using a fingerprick or order a blood test that tests for blood sugar levels in the morning after an overnight fast.

Your doctor will also perform an examination and measure your blood pressure. Tests for cholesterol may also be conducted because approximately one-third of people with type 2 diabetes also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol as well.

How is Type 2 Diabetes Treated?

Even though symptoms of type 2 diabetes are barely noticeable in some people, constantly high blood sugar levels cause permanent damage to all the blood vessels and nerves in the body. Untreated diabetes can lead to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, erectile dysfunction, foot problems, gum disease, eye and kidney disease, and many other problems.

If treatment is not started early, it is too late to reverse any damage once symptoms become more noticeable. Treatments for Type 2 diabetes include:

Metformin
Sulfonylureas
Meglitinides
Thiazolidinediones
DPP-4 inhibitors
GLP-1 receptor agonists
SGLT2 inhibitors
Insulin.

Drugs used to treat Diabetes, Type 2

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Rx and OTC

Drug name	Rating	Reviews	Rx/OTC	Pregnancy	CSA	Alcohol
metformin	5.9	257 reviews	Rx	B	N	X
Generic name: metformin systemic Brand names: Glumetza, Riomet Drug class: non-sulfonylureas For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Januvia	4.6	129 reviews	Rx	B	N	X
Generic name: sitagliptin systemic Drug class: dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Ozempic	5.6	593 reviews	Rx		N	X
Generic name: semaglutide systemic Drug class: incretin mimetics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Tradjenta	3.0	62 reviews	Rx	B	N	X
Generic name: linagliptin systemic Drug class: dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

sitagliptin	4.5	142 reviews	Rx	B	N	X
Generic name: sitagliptin systemic Brand name: Januvia Drug class: dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Onglyza	5.9	15 reviews	Rx	B	N	X
Generic name: saxagliptin systemic Drug class: dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Mounjaro	6.4	134 reviews	Rx		N	X
Generic name: tirzepatide systemic Drug class: incretin mimetics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

semaglutide	5.6	778 reviews	Rx		N	X
Generic name: semaglutide systemic Brand names: Ozempic, Rybelsus Drug class: incretin mimetics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

tirzepatide	6.5	136 reviews	Rx		N	X
Generic name: tirzepatide systemic Brand name: Mounjaro Drug class: incretin mimetics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Victoza	7.6	510 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: liraglutide systemic Drug class: incretin mimetics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

glipizide	6.1	67 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: glipizide systemic Brand names: Glucotrol, GlipiZIDE XL, Glucotrol XL Drug class: sulfonylureas For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

glimepiride	6.6	71 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: glimepiride systemic Brand name: Amaryl Drug class: sulfonylureas For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Amaryl	7.2	20 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: glimepiride systemic Drug class: sulfonylureas For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Invokana	5.8	257 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: canagliflozin systemic Drug class: SGLT-2 inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Lantus	6.2	28 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: insulin glargine systemic Drug class: insulin For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Farxiga	4.4	128 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: dapagliflozin systemic Drug class: SGLT-2 inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Jardiance	5.3	286 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: empagliflozin systemic Drug class: SGLT-2 inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Actos	4.9	40 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: pioglitazone systemic Drug class: thiazolidinediones For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Levemir	5.5	37 reviews	Rx	B	N	X
Generic name: insulin detemir systemic Drug class: insulin For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Janumet	6.0	64 reviews	Rx	B	N	X
Generic name: metformin / sitagliptin systemic Drug class: antidiabetic combinations For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Glucotrol	7.4	9 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: glipizide systemic Drug class: sulfonylureas For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Trulicity	5.1	905 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: dulaglutide systemic Drug class: incretin mimetics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Byetta	7.9	81 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: exenatide systemic Drug class: incretin mimetics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Glumetza	9.5	4 reviews	Rx	B	N	X
Generic name: metformin systemic Drug class: non-sulfonylureas For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

liraglutide	7.6	519 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: liraglutide systemic Brand name: Victoza Drug class: incretin mimetics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Frequently asked questions

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Alternative treatments for Diabetes, Type 2

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Diabetes, Type 2. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Diabetes, Type 2.

Learn more about Diabetes, Type 2

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Diabetes, Type 2 Health Guide

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Diabetes Guide

Legend

Rating	For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity	Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx	Prescription only.
OTC	Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC	Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label	This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA	An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access	Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.

Pregnancy Category
A	Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B	Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C	Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D	There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X	Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N	FDA has not classified the drug.

Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M	The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U	CSA Schedule is unknown.
N	Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1	Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2	Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3	Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4	Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5	Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.

Alcohol
X	Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

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