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Treatments for type 2 diabetes

The primary treatment for type 2 diabetes is eating a good diet and exercising regularly to help the immediate goal of keeping blood sugar at normal levels. ⁴ However, diabetes is a progressive disease which means that the longer you have it, the more likely it is you’ll need to take medication in addition to making dietary and lifestyle changes. Even if you have no symptoms or have only a few symptoms of the disease, you may still require diabetic medication in order to prevent it from worsening, and to protect against any long term complications. ³

Typically, type 2 diabetics have their blood sugar levels measured every two to six months via a HbA1c test. This test is carried out by a doctor or nurse, and measures the levels of glycosylated haemoglobin, (HbA1c) in your blood to find out your average blood sugar levels over the last two months. Normal HbA1c levels are between 6.5% and 7.5%, and anything above or below this percentage may mean you need to have the dosage of your medication changed. ¹²

The main types of medication used for type 2 diabetes treatment are:

• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: These decrease the absorption of sugars from the intestine, which acts to lower after meal glucose levels.¹²
• Biguanides: These slow down the liver’s rate of glucose production, which in turn decreases glucose levels in the bloodstream. ¹²
• Meglitinides: These stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin in response to blood glucose levels. ¹²
• Oral Sulphonylureas: These stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin.¹²
• Thiazolidinediones: These improve the workings of insulin by increasing the cell’s responsiveness to insulin. This medication is often used in the case of insulin-resistant type two diabetes. ¹²

Depending on the type and severity of your diabetes, you may need to take a combination of two or more of these medications in order to lower your blood glucose levels. ⁴ If there is a sudden change in blood sugar levels, type 2 diabetes can also be treated with the following medications:

• Glucagon: If blood sugar levels suddenly lower, producing hypoglycaemia, a glucagon injection is given in order to raise them. ⁴
• Insulin: If blood sugar levels suddenly rise, producing hyperglycaemia, insulin injections are given to lower them. ⁴ Insulin is given as an injection rather than as a tablet since insulin is destroyed by digestive juices in the digestive tract. ¹³

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