Type 2 diabetes is caused by two problems:

1. Resistance to the action of insulin
2. An inability to make enough insulin to overcome that resistance

So, Type 2 Diabetes treatment focuses on ways to control blood glucose, lower insulin resistance, and increase insulin levels. Every treatment plan usually starts with a healthy diet, losing extra weight and staying active. If this doesn’t keep the blood glucose on target, then your provider will prescribe medicine.

Type 2 Diabetes treatments

Pills and non-insulin medicines that are routinely used to treat Type 2 Diabetes:

• Metformin: Pills that reduce glucose production from the liver
• Thiazolidinediones (glitazones): Pills that enhance glucose removal from the bloodstream
• Insulin-releasing pills (secretagogues): Pills that increase insulin release from the pancreas
• Starch blockers: Pills that slow starch (glucose) absorption from the gut
• Incretin-based therapies: Pills and injections that reduce glucose production in the liver and slow the absorption of food
• Amylin analogs: Injections that reduce glucose production in the liver and slow the absorption of food

View a Table of Non-Insulin Medications that summarizes all the oral pills and non-insulin, injected therapies including the strength of the medication, doses and side effects.

Insulin also may be used to treat Type 2 Diabetes:

• Insulin Therapy: Injections that raise your insulin level

In this section, you also can review:

• The Goals of Treatment