Type 2 diabetes tablets: how does each one lower glucose?
Five families, five different targets — and five different warnings.
Select any card for the reasoning, what to watch for and an exam tip.
Type 2 diabetes medicines
Key points
- Standard-release metformin is the first choice for initial drug treatment.
- Sulfonylureas and meglitinides push insulin out, so they carry the hypo risk; metformin alone does not.
- Acarbose, which slows the digestion of starch, lowers glucose less well than many other antidiabetic drugs.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide are kept for combination therapy when other options have failed.
Key takeaway
Know the target and you know the warning: more insulin means hypos, glucose in the urine means DKA and genital infection, and pioglitazone means heart failure.