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Type 2 diabetes
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Medicines for type 2 diabetes - Independent medicine & health information Medicines for type 2 diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes may need medicines in addition to dietary changes and physical activity if these alone don’t adequately control blood glucose levels.

Controlling diabetes is essential

There are three main reasons to treat type 2 diabetes with medicines:

  • to relieve the symptoms of diabetes, including increased thirst and needing to urinate frequently
  • to keep blood glucose as close as possible to recommended levels (i.e. 6.1–8.0 millimoles [mmol] per litre [L] before a meal and 6.0–10.0 mmol/L after a meal)
  • to reduce the risk of developing the complications of diabetes, such as heart disease, kidney disease, eye conditions, and foot and leg problems.
Anyone using medicines to control their diabetes should also follow a healthy, balanced diet and be physically active. This can help to maintain a healthy weight and may improve blood glucose control, reduce the need for medicines, and help to prevent some of the long-term complications of diabetes.

What medicine will I need for type 2 diabetes?

Everyone with type 2 diabetes will need different types and doses of medicine according to their symptoms and their individual needs. The medicines you take may need to change during pregnancy, illness, or during and after surgery.

There are many types of medicines for controlling type 2 diabetes — each with their own benefits and side effects. Each type of medicine works in a different way to control blood glucose levels.

Note about medicine names

Most medicines have two names: the active ingredient and the brand name. The active ingredient is the chemical in the medicine that makes it work. The brand name is the name given to the medicine by its manufacturer. There may be several brands that contain the same active ingredient. This website uses active ingredient names, with brand names in brackets. We also discuss medicines in groups or ‘classes’, when their effects or actions are very similar.

Because you may be offered different brands at the pharmacist, knowing your active ingredient (or where to find it) can avoid mix-ups. To find out more, read our information about active ingredients and brand names.

Metformin, sulfonylureas and insulin are all medicines commonly prescribed for diabetes. These medicines have all been used for many years and have been shown to reduce the complications of diabetes — a very important benefit of these medicines.

Other medicines used to treat diabetes include:

  • 'gliptins': sitagliptin (brand name Januvia), vildagliptin (Galvus) and saxagliptin (Onglyza)
  • 'glitazones': pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia)
  • exenatide (Byetta)
  • acarbose (Glucobay)
  • repaglinide (NovoNorm). Repaglinide is no longer available in Australia.
If you would like to know more, click on the links above for more information about these diabetes medicines.

It is important for you to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking — prescription, over-the-counter and complementary (herbal/‘natural’/vitamin/mineral) medicines — as some medicines may interact with diabetes medicines and affect blood glucose control.

Your diabetes medicines may change over time

Over time, the medicines you are prescribed for type 2 diabetes may change depending on the severity of the diabetes, your age and health, and the other medicines you are taking.

For example, a single medicine — like metformin — may control blood glucose levels initially. But this may change as your diabetes progresses or your circumstances change. At some point, more than one medicine, each containing a different active ingredient — for example, metformin and a sulfonylurea — may be necessary to control blood glucose levels adequately. For some people, insulin, or a combination of tablets and insulin may be the best choice.

For more information about a specific diabetes medicine, search the list of Consumer Medicine Information leaflets by your medicine’s brand name. Find out about brand names.

Watch the video below if you would like to find out more about medicines for type 2 diabetes.

VIDEO

Video: Managing type 2 diabetes with tablets
(2:32m)

Click to watch video

©2009 NPS and Diabetes TASMANIA

Help with managing your medicines

If you are taking several medicines, you may find a Home Medicines Review by a pharmacist useful in managing your medicines. Watch the video below if you would like to find out more about Home Medicines Reviews.

VIDEO

Video: Get help with a Home Medicines Review
(2:18m)

Click to watch video

©2009 NPS and Diabetes TASMANIA

A medicines list can help you keep track of all the medicines you are taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal and natural medicines. Make sure that you:

  • keep it up to date by removing any medicines you are no longer using and adding new medicines as you start using them
  • take it with you each time you visit your doctor, pharmacist or health professional, or if you go into hospital
  • keep it with you at all times in case of emergency.

If you would like to find out more, to print an NPS Medicines List, or download our free medicines list iPhone app, see our Medicines List webpage.

You can also listen below to a recent Health Matters interview where Dr John D'Arcy speaks to Danielle Stowasser, from NPS: Better choices, Better health, about the link between diabetes and obesity. Danielle talks about the number of medications available to combat type 2 diabetes and the support can be accessed through Diabetes Australia. This interview is courtesy of Macquarie Southern Cross Media.

AUDIO: Dr John D'Arcy speaks to Danielle Stowasser about the link between diabetes and obesity on Health Matters (4:13m)
Click here to listen to audio

Phone for medicines information

Call NPS Medicines Line on 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) to get information about your prescription, over-the-counter and complementary medicines from a pharmacist.

References
  1. Diabetes Australia; Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Diabetes management in general practice: Guidelines for type 2 diabetes. 17th edn, 2011/2012. www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/en/For-Health-Professionals/Diabetes-National-Guidelines/#National-Evidence-Based-Guidelines-for-the-Management-of-Type-2-Diabetes 
  2. Rossi S, ed. eAMH [online]. Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook, July 2011. www.amh.net.au/
  3. Sweetman S, ed. Martindale: The complete drug reference [online]. London: Pharmaceutical Press. www.medicinescomplete.com/mc/martindale/current/ (accessed 18 October 2011).
  4. Baxter K, ed. Stockley's drug interactions: A source book of interactions, their mechanisms, clinical importance and management. 9th edn. London: Pharmaceutical Press, May 2010. www.medicinescomplete.com/mc/stockley/current/ (accessed 18 October 2011).
  5. The relevant consumer medicine information and product information have been consulted for every medicine discussed.


Date published: 2011-11-14 00:00:00

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.

References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.