1 EMPOWER T2n Participant HandbookMedicines for Type 2 diabetes
Everybody with diabetes is different so your treatment is individual to you. This can depend, not only on your current diabetes control (HbA1c) and any high blood glucose symptoms you may be experiencing, but also any other long term health problems you may have. Always ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you are unsure about any of the tablets you are taking.
There are several different medicines that help lower your blood glucose levels and each one works in a different way. The medicine that you take does not cure your diabetes.
Remember, that even if you keep to a healthy diet and increase your activity levels and take your diabetes medicine regularly, your diabetes control can change over time. This is because Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition.
The following section will help you to understand some of the more common medicine prescribed for people with diabetes. All medicines have side effects. The side effects listed are from Summaries of Product Characteristics (SPCs). The SPC are used in the patient information leaflet (PIL) given with all medicines. Check the patient information leaflet (PIL) that you receive with your medicine from the pharmacy.
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In addition to making lifestyle changes, you may also need to start taking medicines to help you control your diabetes.
Metformin This medicine works in two ways. It helps your liver stop producing and releasing new glucose into your bloodstream. It also helps overcome insulin resistance by making your own insulin carry glucose from the bloodstream into the muscle cells more effectively.
Medicines for Type 2 diabetes
Metformin is usually the first tablet treatment for Type 2 diabetes and is taken with or just after your food. It does not usually encourage weight gain and it can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications like heart attacks. This medicine can be taken once, twice or three times a day.
You may have to take them for the rest of your life. Your medicine for your diabetes will only work properly if you take it regularly and at the right time of the day. You may need to take one or more of the medicines from those listed below.
You will usually be advised to start taking Metformin slowly and build up the dose over time to lower the risk of any side effects. There is also available a Prolonged Release Metformin which may be considered for you if the side effects do not lessen.
Type of medicine Name Examples
• Metformin modified release • Glucophage SR Main side effects include: Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain or discomfort, metallic taste in the mouth, flatulence.
Biguanide • Metformin • Glucophage • Metformin oral solution
This medicine works in your body, like the Sulphonylurea group above, by helping your pancreas to make more insulin. This medicine works very quickly but it will only last for a short time so you will need to take it within half an hour before each of your main
Type of medicine Name Examples Sulphonylureas • Gliclazide • Diamcron • Diamicron Modified Release • Glibenclamide • Daonil • Glimepiride • Amaryl • Glipizide • Glibenese • Minodiab • Tolbutamide • Tolbutamide Main
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4
inhibitor
include: Hypoglycaemia, allergic skin reactions, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting. Type of medicine Name Examples Sulphonylureas • Sitagliptin • Januvia • Saxagliptin • Onglyza • Linagliptin • Trajenta • Alogliptin • Vipidia • Vildagliptin • Galvus Main side effects include: Nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, flu-like symptoms, osteoarthritis, drowsiness, dizziness, skin reaction. There
meals.
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Metformin.
dizziness, drowsiness, headache, allergic skin reactions. Type of medicine Name Examples Prandial RegulatorsGlucose • Repaglinide • Prandin • Nateglinide • Starlix Main
Sulphonylureas
This medicine works by helping your body produce more insulin only when it is needed after eating your meal. It also helps reduce the amount of glucose being produced by your liver when it is not needed. This medicine is usually taken once a day. side effects constipation, side effects is
Prandial Glucose Regulators
include: Hypoglycaemia, weight gain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea,
This medicine stimulates your pancreas to make more insulin. It is best taken before you eat your meal. It is often given if you cannot tolerate This medicine is usually taken once or twice a day.
also an increased risk of a condition called pancreatitis.
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This medicine works by reducing the amount of glucose being absorbed in your kidneys. You then pass the glucose out in your urine. When this happens, the amount of glucose in your blood is reduced. This medicine is usually taken once a day.
include:
Name Examples Alpha
This medicine works by slowing down the absorption of starchy foods from your intestine. This means that blood glucose levels rise more slowly after your meals. This medicine is best chewed with the first mouthful of food or swallowed whole with water just before your meal.
genital
Main
SGLT2
Main
Type of medicine Glucosidase Glucobay side effects include: Flatulence, soft motions, diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea.
Thiazolidinediones • Pioglitazone •
Inhibitors
This medicine works by reducing your insulin resistance. This will help your own insulin to work more effectively. It also helps to protect the cells in the pancreas, that produce insulin, to carry on producing insulin for longer. This medicine is usually taken once or twice a day.
Type of medicine
Name Examples SGLT2 inhibitors • Dapagliflozin • Forxiga • Canagliflozin • Invokana • Empagliflozin • Jardiance
Thiazolidinedione
Inhibitor • Acarbose •
Inhibitor
Alpha Glucosidase
Name
Main side effects Urinary tract infection, going to the toilet to pass more urine, nausea, itching, increased thirst, loss of appetite, lower back or side pain, diabetic ketoacidosis.
Type of medicine Examples Actos side effects include: Nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, weight gain, headache, fluid retention, tiredness.
6 GLP-1 analogues (Incretin mimetics) This type of medicine can be given by injection or tablet. The medicine reduces the amount of glucose being produced by your liver when it is not needed, it can also reduce your appetite and make you feel full for longer as it slows down the digestion of food in your stomach. Your doctor or nurse will discuss with you whether you will have to inject once, twice a day or once a week. This depends on which of the medicine you are prescribed. Insulin This type of medicine is injected into the subcutaneous tissue under the skin. Your doctor or nurse will discuss the reasons why you may need to use insulin for the treatment of your Type 2 diabetes in addition to, or instead of, your other diabetes medicines. Type of medicine Name Examples GLP-1 analogues • Exenatide • Byetta • Liraglutide • Victoza • Lixisenatide • Lyxumia • Dulaglutide (once a week) • Trulicity • Exenatide • Bydureon • Semaglutide • Ozempic Main side effects include: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, stomach pain, decreased appetite, headache, dizziness, constipation, flatulence. REMEMBER: Medicines for your treatment of your Type 2 diabetes do not replace a healthy diet and taking regular activity. You will still need to carry on with these.
8 provided by For more information, please speak to your GP or nurse or visit your local pharmacy. CLI4233JUL22 Spirit Health is a trading name of Spirit Healthcare Ltd.
