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date: 3/22/2006
Treating type 2 diabetes
In this excerpt from our complete report on diabetes, we explain the different treatment options for type 2 diabetes and compare the evidence for what works.
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There isn't any cure for diabetes. But treatments can help you lead a healthy life by keeping the amount of glucose in your blood as close to normal as possible. If your glucose gets too high or too low, you can get sick.

Keeping your blood glucose (sugar) level close to normal can also prevent some of the extra problems linked to diabetes. Doctors call these complications. And if you already have complications, controlling your blood glucose might stop some of them from getting worse.
Key points about treatment:

  • The best way to treat your diabetes is to keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. This is called tight control. It can help you stay healthy and avoid complications.
  • To keep your glucose levels under tight control, you need to watch what you eat and exercise regularly.
  • Every few months, your doctor will measure your hemoglobin A1c level. This is like your average blood glucose level.
  • You will probably have to take diabetes pills at some point. Examples of some kinds of pills for diabetes are metformin, sulfonylureas and meglitinides.
  • You can take two types of pills together if you need to. But you might get more bouts of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) if you do this.
  • Learning about diabetes and sticking to your treatment plan will probably help you control your blood glucose better.
  • If pills stop working, you can have insulin injections or use an insulin pump. But you might get hypoglycemia more often and gain more weight than with pills.
Treatments that work:
  • Metformin: This drug (brand names Glucophage and Fortamet) lowers your blood glucose level. More…
  • Sulfonylureas: These drugs help your body make more insulin. Examples (with brand names) are glimepiride (Amaryl) and glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL). More…
Treatment that are likely to work:

Treatments that work, but whose harms may outweigh benefits:
Treatments that need further research:

Other treatments

The following treatments have not been studied to the same scientific standards that we use to judge other treatments on our site. (See Our method.) But we wanted to cover these treatments because you might have questions about them. As you read this information, keep in mind that more research is needed to say whether these treatments work.
  • Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: These are pills that you can use along with other diabetes pills. Examples (with brand names) are acarbose (brand name Precose) and miglitol (Glyset). More…
  • Exenatide: This is an injection you can use along with pills if you have type 2 diabetes. The brand name is Byetta. More…
  • Pramlintide: This is an injection you can use along with insulin. More…
  • Thiazolidinediones: These are pills that you take on their own or with other treatments. Examples (with brand names) are pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia). More…


This site is for your information only. For medical advice, consult a health professional.