1. Type 2 Diabetes: Learn the Warning Signs
2. Diabetes and Foot Problems Slideshow
3. Take the Diabetes Quiz!

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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In this Article

• What is the treatment for diabetes?
• Medications for type 2 diabetes
• Sulfonylureas
• Meglitinides - (Prandin and Starlix)
• Medications that decrease the amount of glucose produced by the liver
• Medications that increase glucose excretion by the kidney
• Medications that increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin (Actos and Avandia)
• Medications that decrease the absorption of carbohydrates from the intestine (Precose)
• Medications that affect glycemic control (Symlin, Byetta, Victoza, Bydureon)
• DPP-IV inhibitors
• Combination medications
• Treatment of diabetes with insulin
• Different methods of delivering insulin
• Pre-filled insulin pens
• Insulin pump
• Inhaled Insulin
• Intranasal, Transderm
• Diabetes diet
• The future of pancreas transplantation
• Patient Comments: Diabetes - Diet
• Patient Comments: Diabetes Treatment - Effective Treatments
• Patient Comments: Diabetes Treatment - Medications
• Find a local Endocrinologist in your town
• Diabetes Treatment Index

A class of drugs called biguanides has been used for many years in Europe and Canada. In 1994, the FDA approved the use of the biguanide metformin (Glucophage) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in the U.S. Glucophage is unique in its ability to decrease glucose production by the liver. Briefly, because metformin does not increase insulin levels, when used alone, it does not usually cause hypoglycemia. In addition, metformin has an effect whereby it tends to suppress appetite, which may be beneficial in diabetics who tend to be overweight. Metformin may be used by itself or together with other oral drugs or insulin. It should not be used in patients with kidney impairment and should be used with caution in those with liver impairment. The older biguanides that preceded metformin were associated with a serious condition called lactic acidosis, a dangerous acid build up in the blood resulting from accumulation of the drug and its breakdown products. While metformin is safer in this regard, it is recommended that the drug be discontinued for 24 hours before any procedure involving the intravenous injection of dyes (such as for some x-ray studies of the kidney) or surgery is performed. The dyes may impair kidney function and cause a build up of the drug in the blood. Metformin can be restarted after these procedures once the patient is urinating normally.

In March 2013 the FDA approved canagliflozin (Invokana) tablets to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Invokana works by blocking reabsorption of glucose by the kidney, leading to increased glucose excretion and reduction of blood sugar levels. Clinical trials on over 10,000 patients showed improvement in both fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels with canagliflozin. Side effects included vaginal yeast infection and urinary tract infection. Invokana has been used as a single therapy and in combination with other drugs such as metformin, sulfonylurea, pioglitazone, and insulin.