Different Types of Medicine for Type 2 Diabetes

The bodies of Type 2 diabetics do not make enough insulin or take in glucose correctly. There are a number of different medications for type 2 diabetics. Often, it takes a while to find the right combination of these medications (along with diet) to control the patient's sugar.

Thiazolidinediones

Thiazolidinediones help make insulin work better within the muscles and fat. They also reduce the glucose production throughout the liver. Avandia and Actos are both thiazolidinedione drugs.

Biguanides

Glucophage is a biguanide. It lowers blood glucose levels by decreasing the total glucose that is produced by the liver.

Sulfonylureas and Meglitinides

Both sulfonylureas and meglitinides stimulate beta cells in the pancreas, releasing more insulin. Diabinese, Glucotrol, Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta and Amaryl are all sulfonylureas drugs. Prandin and Starlix are meglitinides.

DPP-4 and Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors

DDP-4 inhibitors help with the breakdown of GLP-1, a compound in the body, and help lower glucose levels with more stability. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors actually lower glucose levels by acting as a block in the breakdown of starches and sugars. Januvia is a DPP-4, and Precose and Glyset are alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.

Incretin Mimetics

Incretin Mimetics is a new class of drugs for Type 2 diabetics. Byetta is the first of these drugs, and is a synthetic of the hormone exendin-4, which lowers blood sugar by increasing insulin.

Resources

• Other Diabetes Medications