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Medications for Diabetes, Type 2

Other names: Diabetes; Noninsulin-dependent Diabetes; Type 2 Diabetes

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 19, 2024.

If you have type 2 diabetes and diet and exercise aren't enough to keep your blood sugar levels under control then medications might be prescribed. Common type 2 diabetes medicines include:

Drugs used to treat Diabetes, Type 2

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
metformin 6.0 266 reviews for metformin to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx B N X
Generic name:
metformin systemic
Brand name:
Glumetza
Drug class:
non-sulfonylureas
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Ozempic 6.6 975 reviews for Ozempic to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx N X
Generic name:
semaglutide systemic
Drug class:
Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Rybelsus 6.2 237 reviews for Rybelsus to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx N X
Generic name:
semaglutide systemic
Drug class:
Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Mounjaro 8.3 659 reviews for Mounjaro to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx N X
Generic name:
tirzepatide systemic
Drug class:
Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
semaglutide 6.5 1284 reviews for semaglutide to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx N X
Generic name:
semaglutide systemic
Brand names:
Ozempic, Rybelsus
Drug class:
Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
tirzepatide 8.3 679 reviews for tirzepatide to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx N X
Generic name:
tirzepatide systemic
Brand name:
Mounjaro
Drug class:
Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Januvia 4.7 138 reviews for Januvia to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx B N X
Generic name:
sitagliptin systemic
Drug class:
dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Victoza 7.7 518 reviews for Victoza to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
liraglutide systemic
Drug class:
Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
glipizide 6.3 71 reviews for glipizide to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
glipizide systemic
Brand names:
Glucotrol, GlipiZIDE XL, Glucotrol XL
Drug class:
sulfonylureas
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
glimepiride 6.8 71 reviews for glimepiride to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
glimepiride systemic
Brand name:
Amaryl
Drug class:
sulfonylureas
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Jardiance 5.4 309 reviews for Jardiance to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
empagliflozin systemic
Drug class:
SGLT-2 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Farxiga 4.5 133 reviews for Farxiga to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
dapagliflozin systemic
Drug class:
SGLT-2 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Amaryl 7.1 19 reviews for Amaryl to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
glimepiride systemic
Drug class:
sulfonylureas
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Lantus 6.1 28 reviews for Lantus to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
insulin glargine systemic
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Invokana 5.8 257 reviews for Invokana to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
canagliflozin systemic
Drug class:
SGLT-2 inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Trulicity 5.2 941 reviews for Trulicity to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
dulaglutide systemic
Drug class:
Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Actos 4.9 40 reviews for Actos to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
pioglitazone systemic
Drug class:
thiazolidinediones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Levemir 4.7 61 reviews for Levemir to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx B N X
Generic name:
insulin detemir systemic
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Janumet 6.2 66 reviews for Janumet to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx B N X
Generic name:
metformin / sitagliptin systemic
Drug class:
antidiabetic combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Glucotrol 7.7 10 reviews for Glucotrol to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
glipizide systemic
Drug class:
sulfonylureas
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Glumetza 9.5 4 reviews for Glumetza to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx B N X
Generic name:
metformin systemic
Drug class:
non-sulfonylureas
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Byetta 7.9 81 reviews for Byetta to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
exenatide systemic
Drug class:
Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
pioglitazone 4.5 53 reviews for pioglitazone to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
pioglitazone systemic
Brand name:
Actos
Drug class:
thiazolidinediones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Bydureon 6.4 266 reviews for Bydureon to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
exenatide systemic
Drug class:
Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists)
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Lantus SoloStar 7.8 31 reviews for Lantus SoloStar to treat Diabetes, Type 2 Rx C N X
Generic name:
insulin glargine systemic
Drug class:
insulin
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Alternative treatments for Diabetes, Type 2

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Diabetes, Type 2. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Diabetes, Type 2.

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.