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Medications for Diabetes, Type 2

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

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 19, 2024.

If you have type 2 diabetes and diet and exercise aren't enough to keep your blood sugar levels under control then medications might be prescribed. Common type 2 diabetes medicines include:

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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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Xultophy 9.3 3 reviews for Xultophy to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx N X
Generic name:
insulin degludec / liraglutide systemic
Drug class:
antidiabetic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
acarbose 4.5 2 reviews for acarbose to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx B N X
Generic name:
acarbose systemic
Drug class:
alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
alogliptin / pioglitazone 1.0 2 reviews for alogliptin / pioglitazone to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx C N X
Generic name:
alogliptin / pioglitazone systemic
Brand name:
Oseni
Drug class:
antidiabetic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
glipizide / metformin 3.5 2 reviews for glipizide / metformin to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx C N X
Generic name:
glipizide / metformin systemic
Drug class:
antidiabetic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Glucovance 8.0 2 reviews for Glucovance to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx B N X
Generic name:
glyburide / metformin systemic
Drug class:
antidiabetic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Humulin N 9.0 2 reviews for Humulin N to treat Diabetes, Type 2
OTC B N X
Generic name:
insulin isophane systemic
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
insulin aspart/insulin aspart protamine 10 2 reviews for insulin aspart/insulin aspart protamine to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx B N X
Generic name:
insulin aspart/insulin aspart protamine systemic
Brand names:
NovoLog Mix 70/30, NovoLog Mix 70/30 FlexPen
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
insulin lispro/insulin lispro protamine 7.5 2 reviews for insulin lispro/insulin lispro protamine to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx B N X
Generic name:
insulin lispro/insulin lispro protamine systemic
Brand names:
Humalog Mix 50/50, Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog Mix 75/25 KwikPen
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Invokamet 2.5 2 reviews for Invokamet to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx C N X
Generic name:
canagliflozin / metformin systemic
Drug class:
antidiabetic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Jentadueto XR 9.0 2 reviews for Jentadueto XR to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx B N X
Generic name:
linagliptin / metformin systemic
Drug class:
antidiabetic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Oseni 1.0 2 reviews for Oseni to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx C N X
Generic name:
alogliptin / pioglitazone systemic
Drug class:
antidiabetic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
alogliptin / metformin 1.0 1 review for alogliptin / metformin to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx B N X
Generic name:
alogliptin / metformin systemic
Brand name:
Kazano
Drug class:
antidiabetic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
ertugliflozin / sitagliptin 9.0 1 review for ertugliflozin / sitagliptin to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx N X
Generic name:
ertugliflozin / sitagliptin systemic
Brand name:
Steglujan
Drug class:
antidiabetic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Glyset 10 1 review for Glyset to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx B N X
Generic name:
miglitol systemic
Drug class:
alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Humalog Mix 75/25 10 1 review for Humalog Mix 75/25 to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx B N X
Generic name:
insulin lispro/insulin lispro protamine systemic
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Humulin 70/30 6.0 1 review for Humulin 70/30 to treat Diabetes, Type 2
OTC B N X
Generic name:
insulin isophane / insulin regular systemic
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Humulin N Pen 6.0 1 review for Humulin N Pen to treat Diabetes, Type 2
OTC B N X
Generic name:
insulin isophane systemic
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Humulin R 9.0 1 review for Humulin R to treat Diabetes, Type 2
OTC B N X
Generic name:
insulin regular systemic
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Invokamet XR 10 1 review for Invokamet XR to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx C N X
Generic name:
canagliflozin / metformin systemic
Drug class:
antidiabetic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Kazano 1.0 1 review for Kazano to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx B N X
Generic name:
alogliptin / metformin systemic
Drug class:
antidiabetic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Lyumjev 6.0 1 review for Lyumjev to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx B N X
Generic name:
insulin lispro systemic
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
miglitol 10 1 review for miglitol to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx B N X
Generic name:
miglitol systemic
Brand name:
Glyset
Drug class:
alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
NovoLog Mix 70/30 10 1 review for NovoLog Mix 70/30 to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx B N X
Generic name:
insulin aspart/insulin aspart protamine systemic
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
NovoLog Mix 70/30 FlexPen 0.0 1 review for NovoLog Mix 70/30 FlexPen to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx B N X
Generic name:
insulin aspart/insulin aspart protamine systemic
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
pramlintide 9.0 1 review for pramlintide to treat Diabetes, Type 2
Rx C N X
Generic name:
pramlintide systemic
Brand names:
Symlin, Symlin Pen, SymlinPen 60, SymlinPen 120
Drug class:
amylin analogs
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

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.

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.