Managing your medicine (summary)

Managing your medicine

It is important for people with diabetes to lower their blood glucose levels. This is to help reduce the risk of getting other health problems.

Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be controlled with just diet and exercise.

Sometimes people need to take medicine to help them to control their blood glucose levels.

You might need medicine to help you to control your diabetes. Do not worry if you need to start taking a medicine for your diabetes. This is normal. It is also normal for people to need more than one type of medicine over time.

There are many medicines available to help people lower their blood sugar levels. Some are tablets taken by mouth. Some are injected. All work in different ways to help lower your blood glucose.

Your doctor or nurse will tell you more about how different medicines work. They will tell you how to take them properly. Together you can decide what is best for you.

What is Metformin?

Many people start taking Metformin to help manage their blood glucose levels. This is a tablet taken by mouth. Metformin works in two ways:

• It reduces the amount of sugar your liver releases into your blood.
• It makes your cells respond better to insulin.

You should always take Metformin with or just after food. This will help to reduce any side effects. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how you should take it. Always read the patient information leaflet in the box.

Will I need insulin in the future?

If your diabetes is not controlled by tablets, you may need to use insulin. This is given by injection. This is not painful when done correctly. Your doctor or nurse will show you how to do this.

What other medicines treat Type 2 diabetes?

• Sulphonylureas.
• Thiazolidinediones.
• DPP-4 inhibitors.
• GLP-1 agonists.
• SGLT1 inhibitors.
• Meglitinides.