Diabetes Medications

Oral Medications

Below are a list of oral medications listed by brands. See what their generics are, how the medication works, and what you should know about it.

Glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta and Glynase)

• This medication works by encouraging the pancreas to produce more insulin.
• May cause low blood sugar.
• Be cautious if you have an alergy to sulfa medication.

Glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL)

• This medication encourages the pancreas to produce more insulin.
• May cause low blood sugar.
• Be cautious if you have an alergy to sulfa medication.

Glimepride (Amaryl)

• Encourages the pancreas to produce more insulin.
• May cause low blood sugar.
• Be cautious if you have an allergy with sulfa medication.

Regaplinide (Prandin)

• Encourages the pancreas to produce more insulin in response to carbhydrates at meals.
• May cause low blood sugar.
• Be cautious if you have a sulfa allergy.
• Ideally taken between 0-30 minutes before each meal that has carbohydrates in it.

Netglinide (Starlix)

• This medication encourages the pancreas to produce more insulin in response to carbohydrates at a meal.
• May cause low blood sugar.
• Be cautious if you have a sulfa allergy.
• Ideally taken between 0-30 minutes before each meal that has carbohydrates in it.

Metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet, Riomet liquid form)

• This medication helps the body use insulin more efficiently and decreases the glucose produced by the liver.
• Possible gastrointestinal upsets may subside in 2-3 weeks.
• Be cautious if you have kidney or respiratory disease, are taking medications for heart failure, or for those over 80 years old.
• Metformin is not recommended for people with liver disease or who drink alcohol excessively.
• Take with meals to decrease possible GI effects.

Acarbose (Precose)

• Slows the digestion of carbohydrate foods.
• Possible gastrointestinal upsets which include excess gas (flatulence) or bloating.
• Take medication with the first bite of each meal.
• Be cautious if you have inflammatory bowel disease, other intestinal diseases or bowel obstructions.

Migitol (Glyset)

• Slows the digestion of carbohydrate foods.
• Possible gastrointestinal upsets which include excess gas (flatulence) or bloating.
• Take medication with the first bite of each meal.
• Be cautious if you have inflammatory bowel disease, other intestinal diseases or bowel obstructions.

Rosiglitazone (Avandia)

• Helps the body use insulin more efficiently.
• May cause water retention.
• Monitor with liver function tests.
• Not recommended for people with heart failure.
• May take 3-6 weeks to see the full effect on blood sugar.

Pioglitzaone (Actos)

• Helps the body use insulin more efficiently.
• May cause water retention.
• Monitor with liver function tests.
• Not recommended for people with heart failure.
• May take 3-6 weeks to see the full effect on blood sugar.

Sitigliptin Phosphate (Januvia)

• Helps pancreas make more insulin.
• Prevents the liver from releasing too much glucose.
• Does not usually cause hypoglycemia.
• Possible side effects: Upper respiratory infection, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat and headache.

Combination Medications

Below are a list of oral medications listed by brands. See what their generics are, how the medication works, and what you should know about it.

Injectable, Non-Insulin Medications

Below are a list of Injectable, Non-Insulin medications listed by brands. See what their generics are, how the medication works, and what you should know about it.

Exenatide (Byetta)

• Increases insulin production.
• Decreases sugar production by the liver.
• Reduces appetite.
• Reduces high post-prandial(after-eating) glucose.
• Delays stomach emptying Injection is twice a day within 60 minutes of the morning and evening meals.
• Treats Type 2 diabetes.
• Caution use if you have GERD/reflux.
• May cause nausea when first starting drug but it should decrease over time.
• Talk to doctor/nurse about side effects you may experience.

Pramlintide (Symlin)

• Decreases sugar production by the liver.
• Reduces appetite.
• Reduces high post-prandial (after-eating) glucose.
• Injection is given at mealtimes.
• Treats Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
• Used with insulin to lower blood sugar, especially for after-eating glucose.
• May lower the amount of insulin you currently inject.

Injectable, Insulin Medications

Below are a list of Injectable Insulin medications listed by brands. See what their generics are, how the medication works, and what you should know about it.

Novolog (Aspart), Humalog (Lispro), Apidra (Glulisine)

• Rapid-Acting.
• Starts working quickly and is effective for a short period of time.
• Should look clear.
• Take 5-10 minutes before meal.

Novolin R (Regular human insulin), Humulin R (Regular Humulin insulin)

• Short or Fast-Acting.
• Starts working relatively quickly and is effective for a fairly short period of time.
• Should look clear.
• Take 30 minutes before meal.

Novolin N (NPH human insulin), Humalin N (NPH human insulin)

• Intermediate-Acting.
• Starts working a little later but lasts a little bit longer.
• Looks cloudy.
• Take once or twice daily AM and/or PM.

Lantus (Glargine), Levemir (Detemir)

• Long-Acting.
• Starts very slowly and lasts a long time – nearly without a peak.
• Should look clear.
• Usually taken once daily or twice if needed.

Pre-mixed Insulin – Combinations of the above types

Novolog Mix 70/30, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog Mix 50/50

• Rapid-Acting Mix
• Looks cloudy
• All are a mix of rapid-acting and intermediate-acting insulin.
• Take 5-10 minutes before meal.

Novolin 70/30, Humulin 70/30

• Short or Fast-Acting Mix
• Looks cloudy
• All are a mix of short-acting and intermediate-acting insulin.
• Take 30 minutes before meal.