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Medications for Type 2 Diabetes

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
semaglutide 6.6 1478 reviews for semaglutide to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx N X
Generic name:
semaglutide systemic
Brand names:
Ozempic, Rybelsus
Drug class:
GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Ozempic 6.6 1122 reviews for Ozempic to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx N X
Generic name:
semaglutide systemic
Drug class:
GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
dulaglutide 5.3 964 reviews for dulaglutide to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
dulaglutide systemic
Brand name:
Trulicity
Drug class:
GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Trulicity 5.3 942 reviews for Trulicity to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
dulaglutide systemic
Drug class:
GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
tirzepatide 8.3 915 reviews for tirzepatide to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx N X
Generic name:
tirzepatide systemic
Brand name:
Mounjaro
Drug class:
GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Mounjaro 8.3 882 reviews for Mounjaro to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx N X
Generic name:
tirzepatide systemic
Drug class:
GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
liraglutide 7.6 529 reviews for liraglutide to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
liraglutide systemic
Brand name:
Victoza
Drug class:
GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Victoza 7.6 520 reviews for Victoza to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
liraglutide systemic
Drug class:
GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
exenatide 6.3 411 reviews for exenatide to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
exenatide systemic
Brand names:
Byetta, Bydureon, Bydureon BCise
Drug class:
GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
empagliflozin 5.4 332 reviews for empagliflozin to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
empagliflozin systemic
Brand name:
Jardiance
Drug class:
SGLT-2 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Jardiance 5.3 314 reviews for Jardiance to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
empagliflozin systemic
Drug class:
SGLT-2 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Rybelsus 6.3 277 reviews for Rybelsus to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx N X
Generic name:
semaglutide systemic
Drug class:
GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
metformin 5.8 268 reviews for metformin to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx B N X
Generic name:
metformin systemic
Brand name:
Glumetza
Drug class:
non-sulfonylureas
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Bydureon 6.3 267 reviews for Bydureon to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
exenatide systemic
Drug class:
GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
canagliflozin 5.8 265 reviews for canagliflozin to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
canagliflozin systemic
Brand name:
Invokana
Drug class:
SGLT-2 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Invokana 5.8 257 reviews for Invokana to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
canagliflozin systemic
Drug class:
SGLT-2 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
insulin glargine 4.7 196 reviews for insulin glargine to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
insulin glargine systemic
Brand names:
Lantus, Lantus SoloStar, Basaglar, Toujeo SoloStar, Rezvoglar, Semglee, Toujeo Max SoloStar
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
dapagliflozin 4.5 170 reviews for dapagliflozin to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
dapagliflozin systemic
Brand name:
Farxiga
Drug class:
SGLT-2 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
sitagliptin 4.4 154 reviews for sitagliptin to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx B N X
Generic name:
sitagliptin systemic
Brand names:
Januvia, Brynovin, Zituvio
Drug class:
dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Januvia 4.5 139 reviews for Januvia to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx B N X
Generic name:
sitagliptin systemic
Drug class:
dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Farxiga 4.4 136 reviews for Farxiga to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
dapagliflozin systemic
Drug class:
SGLT-2 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Basaglar 3.1 88 reviews for Basaglar to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
insulin glargine systemic
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Byetta 7.8 81 reviews for Byetta to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx C N X
Generic name:
exenatide systemic
Drug class:
GLP-1 Agonists (Incretin Mimetics)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
linagliptin 3.9 79 reviews for linagliptin to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx B N X
Generic name:
linagliptin systemic
Brand name:
Tradjenta
Drug class:
dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
metformin / sitagliptin 6.2 76 reviews for metformin / sitagliptin to treat Type 2 Diabetes Rx B N X
Generic name:
metformin / sitagliptin systemic
Brand names:
Janumet, Janumet XR, Zituvimet, Zituvimet XR
Drug class:
antidiabetic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Alternative treatments for Type 2 Diabetes

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Type 2 Diabetes. 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 Type 2 Diabetes.

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

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.