DIABETES Y o u r Ta k e C o n t r o l G u i d e

Medications
Diabetes Drug Class Type
Diabetes Medications
Generic Name Brand Name Cost*
medications Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors acarbose Precose
The first way to treat Block the breakdown of
Oral Moderate
type 2 diabetes is starches, such as potatoes
and pasta in intestine. meglitol Glyset
often meal planning,
weight loss, and
Amylin
exercise. Often these Slows food moving Injected pramlintide Symlin High
steps are not enough through the stomach.
to bring your ABCs
to a healthy range. Biguanides
The next step is Decrease amount of glucose Oral metformin Glucophage Low
taking medication. produced by the liver.

Your doctor will

Bile Acid Sequestrants
decide which Lower cholesterol and blood Oral colesevelam Welchol High
medication is right glucose levels.
for you.
This depends on: Dopamine-2 Agonists
bromocriptine
Help lower blood glucose Oral Cycloset, Parlodel High
• Your lifestyle (quick release)
levels after a meal.
• Physical condition
DPP-4 Inhibitors alogliptin Nesina
• How you respond Prevent breakdown of linagliptin Tradjenta
to the medicine GLP-1, a compound in the Oral High
body that lowers blood saxagliptin Onglyza
• Insurance coverage glucose levels. sitagliptin Januvia
There are different albiglutide Eperzan/Tanzeum
types, or classes, GLP-1 Receptor
Agonists dulaglutide Trulicity
of drugs that work
Helps release insulin when
in different ways to blood glucose is high and
Injected exenatide Byetta High
lower blood glucose. lower the amount of glucose exenatide Bydureon
produced by the liver. extended release
liraglutide Victoza
Oral combination
therapy Meglitinides nateglinide Starlix
Because the drugs Help beta cells in pancreas Oral Moderate
release more insulin. repaglinide Prandin
listed on the right
act in different SGLT2 Inhibitors canagliflozin Invokana
ways to lower Blocks glucose from being Oral dapagliflozin Farxiga High
reabsorbed in the kidney.
blood glucose empagliflozin Jardiance
levels, they may chlorpropamide Diabinese
be used together. Sulfonylureas glimepiride Amaryl
For example, a Help beta cells in pancreas Oral
glipizide Glucotrol/ Low
release more insulin. Glucotrol XL
biguanide and a
glyburide/ Micronase/Glynase/
sulfonylurea may glibenclamide Diabeta
TZDs pioglitazone Actos
Help insulin work better
Oral Low
in muscle and fat. Lower
*Cost is based on the lowest- glucose production in liver. rosiglitazone Avandia
price drug in its class.

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D i a b e t e s . o r g

Medications (continued)

be used together. Insulin

Many combinations are Insulin Type* Generic Name Brand Name
combined into a single pill Fiasp
aspart
for convenience. Rapid-Acting NovoLog
Onset: about 15 minutes
glulisine Apidra
Peak: about 1 or 2 hours after injection
Other injected Duration: last between 2-4 hours Admelog
medications lispro
Humalog
In addition to pills and Humulin R
Regular- or Short-Acting
insulin, some medications Onset: about 30 minutes
human regular Novolin R
for controlling your blood Peak: about 2 to 3 hours after injection
glucose are injected. Duration: last between 3-6 hours Velosulin R

Intermediate-Acting Humulin N
Insulin Onset: about 2 to 4 hours after injection
Novolin N
There are different types Peak: 4 to 12 hours later human nph
Duration: it is effective for about
of insulin that vary in how 12 to 18 hours ReliOn
quickly they lower blood
glucose levels. Some work Long-Acting or Basal Insulin Analogs
degludec Tresiba
very quickly and are taken Onset: between 2 and 4 hours detemir Levemir
with meals. Others are Peak: continuous, “peakless” action that acts
the way your body normally releases insulin Basaglar
long-acting and are used Duration: last up to 24 hours or longer glargine
Lantus
just once or twice a day.
Ultra Long-Acting
What if my blood Onset: 6 hours
glargine u-300 Toujeo
Peak: No peak
glucose stays too Duration: 36 hours
high?
If your blood glucose Inhaled Insulin
levels remain too high, Onset: Within 12 to 15 minutes
your medication may need Peak: 30 minutes
technosphere
Duration: Out of your system in 180 minutes
to be adjusted. Do not Note: Must be used with injectable
insulin-inhalation Afrezza
adjust your medication on long-acting insulin in patients with
system
your own. Talk to type 1 diabetes and in type 2 diabetes
your doctor about patients who use long-acting insulin.
possible changes.
*Costs for insulin vary due to types and doses.
Diabetes and
pregnancy Important note:
If you’re pregnant, talk The generic names and brand names are
with your health care shown to help you know what you take.
provider about what The American Diabetes Association does
medications not recommend or endorse any specific
are right for
medication.
you.
You might take a medication that is not on
this list. Your healthcare team is your best
source of information. Talk to them about
all the medications you take. Never stop
taking a medication or change your dose
without talking with your doctor.

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DIABETES Y o u r Ta k e C o n t r o l G u i d e

Medications (continued)

Aspirin Common Blood Pressure Medications

Drug Class
If you are at high risk for or if you have heart
disease, taking a low dose aspirin every day ACE Inhibitors
Lower blood pressure by keeping your blood vessels
may help. Aspirin can also help people who relaxed. ACE inhibitors prevent a hormone from forming
have had a heart attack or stroke. Ask in your body and narrowing your blood vessels. They also
help protect your kidneys and reduce your risk of heart
your doctor whether you should take attack and stroke.
aspirin.
ARBs
Keep the blood vessels open and relaxed to help lower
Blood pressure medications blood pressure. Like ACE inhibitors, ARBs also protect
your kidneys.
Not everyone takes the same blood pressure
medicine. Many people take two or more
Beta Blockers
medications. The ones you take will depend on Help lower blood pressure and relax your heart by
your blood pressure numbers and other factors. allowing it to beat slower and with less force. Beta
blockers help prevent heart attack and stroke.

Cholesterol medications Calcium Channel Blockers

Most adults with diabetes who are 40 years Help the blood vessels relax by keeping calcium out of
or older should be taking a statin. Statins help your blood vessels and heart.
lower LDL levels and reduce your risk for heart
attack or stroke. Diuretics
Help rid your body of extra water and sodium through
There are other medicines that improve urine. Sometimes called “water pills.” You’ll often start
cholesterol. Ask your doctor about whether with one of these types of diuretics.
you should take a statin or other drug
to lower your risk for heart attack or Cholesterol Medications
stroke. Drug Class
Although previously recommended for lipid Statins
control, we no longer recommend the use of
niacin. Sterol Transport Inhibitor

PCSK9

ApoB Inhibitor

MTP Inhibitor

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