11/02/2025
Here’s a list of commonly used medications for managing Type 2 diabetes, grouped by their classes:
1. Biguanides
• Metformin (Glucophage): The first-line medication for Type 2 diabetes. It reduces glucose production in the liver and improves insulin sensitivity.
2. Sulfonylureas
• Glipizide (Glucotrol)
• Glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase)
• Glimepiride (Amaryl)
These stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.
3. Meglitinides
• Repaglinide (Prandin)
• Nateglinide (Starlix)
These are fast-acting drugs that stimulate insulin release from the pancreas.
4. DPP-4 Inhibitors
• Sitagliptin (Januvia)
• Saxagliptin (Onglyza)
• Linagliptin (Tradjenta)
• Alogliptin (Nesina)
These improve insulin release and decrease glucose production.
5. SGLT2 Inhibitors
• Empagliflozin (Jardiance)
• Canagliflozin (Invokana)
• Dapagliflozin (Farxiga)
• Ertugliflozin (Steglatro)
These help remove excess glucose via urine.
6. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
• Exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon)
• Liraglutide (Victoza)
• Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
• Semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus)
• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
These increase insulin secretion, slow digestion, and reduce appetite.
7. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)
• Pioglitazone (Actos)
• Rosiglitazone (Avandia)
These improve insulin sensitivity.
8. Insulin (if necessary)
• Long-acting (e.g., Lantus, Tresiba)
• Rapid-acting (e.g., Novolog, Humalog)
• Mixed insulins
9. Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors
• Acarbose (Precose)
• Miglitol (Glyset)
These slow carbohydrate absorption in the intestine.
10. Amylin Analogs
• Pramlintide (Symlin)
Used alongside insulin to regulate post-meal glucose.
11. Bile Acid Sequestrants
• Colesevelam (Welchol): Lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
12. Dopamine-2 Agonists
• Bromocriptine (Cycloset): A less commonly used option that may improve insulin sensitivity.
