Oral Medication

CCS EDUCATION | 4 MIN READ

Oral Medication

If your diabetes cannot be managed with diet and exercise, you may need medication. Diabetes medications can be taken by mouth or injected through the skin. All medications for diabetes work differently. You may be on more than one medication.

NOTE: While people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin, there are times when additional therapies may play a role

The following medication lists may not be inclusive of all diabetes medications, depending on FDA approval times. Please consult with your healthcare provider regarding any medications or the use of additional therapies.

type 2 oral medications

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Brand Name	Generic Name	Drug Class	How it Works	Side Effects
Glucophage Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet	Metformin Metformin extended release	Biguanide	Lowers the amount of glucose produced by the liver.	Bloating, gas, diarrhea, upset stomach, and loss of appetite. Lactic acidosis may occur in people with abnormal kidney or liver function.
Amaryl Glucotrol Glucotrol XL	Glimepiride Glipizide Glipizide extended release Glyburide	Sulfonylureas	Helps beta cells in the pancreas release more insulin.	Low blood glucose, occasional skin rash, irritability, upset stomach, and weight gain.
Starlix Prandin	Nateglinide Repaglinide	Meglitinides	Helps beta cells in the pancreas release more insulin	Effects diminish quickly and they must be taken with each meal. May cause low blood glucose.
Actos	Pioglitazone	TZDs	Helps insulin work better in muscle and fat cells. Lowers glucose production in the liver	May cause side effects such as swelling or fluid retention. Increased risk of congestive heart failure in those at risk.
Precose Glyset	Acarbose Miglitol	Alphaglucosidase inhibitors	Blocks the breakdown of starches in the intestines.	Gas, diarrhea, upset stomach, and abdominal pain.
Nesina Tradjenta Onglyza Januvia	Alogliptin Linagliptin Saxagliptin Sitagliptin	DPP-4 inhibitors	Prevents the breakdown of GLP-1, a compound in the body that lowers blood glucose levels.	Stomach discomfort, diarrhea, sore throat, stuffy nose, and upper respiratory infection
Welchol	Colesevelam	Bile acid sequestrants	Lowers cholesterol and blood glucose levels.	Constipation, nausea, diarrhea, gas, heartburn, and headache (may interact with glyburide, levothyroxine and contraceptives).
Cycloset	Bromocriptine quick release	Dopamine-2 agonists (not available as a generic)	Helps lower blood glucose levels after a meal	Effects diminish quickly and they must be taken with each meal. May cause low blood glucose.
Invokana Farxiga Jardiance Steglatro (Ertugliflozin) SGLT2	Canagliflozin Dapagliflozin Empagliflozin	SGLT2 inhibitors (not available as a generic)	Blocks glucose from being reabsorbed by the kidneys. Excess glucose is released in the urine.	Dehydration, dizziness, weakness, yeast infection, urinary tract infection, low blood sugar, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infection.
Rybelsus	Semaglutide	GLP1 receptor agonist	Helps release insulin when glucose rises with meals and reduces glucose from the liver.	Decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Always take your medication as prescribed. Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to understand how to use your prescription medications safely and effectively. According to ADA, glucose targets are individualized based on patient age and with presence of diabetes related complications.

Some medications for diabetes are combinations of medicines. Do not combine medications without a prescription from a healthcare provider.

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Brand Name	Generic Name
Kazano	Alogliptin & Metformin
Prandimet	Repaglinide & Metformin
Invokamet	Canagliflozin & Metformin
Xigduo	Dapagliflozin & Metformin
Glyxambi	Empagliflozin & Nagliptin
Synjardy	Empagliflozin & Metformin
Segluromet	Ertugliflozin & Metformin
Steglujan	Ertugliflozin & Sitagliptin

Brand Name	Generic Name
Metaglip	Glipizide & Metformin
Glucovance	Glyburide & Metformin
Jentadueto	Linagliptin & Metformin
Avandamet	Rosiglitazone & Metformin
Actos Plus Met and XR	Pioglitazone & Metformin
Oseni	Alogliptin/Pioglitazone
Duetact	Pioglitazone & Glimeperide
Avandryl	Rosiglitazone & Glimepiride
Janumet and XR	Sitagliptin & Metformin
Kombiglyze XR	Saxagliptin & Metformin
Juvisync	Sitagliptin & Simvastatin