What do I need to know about diabetes pills?

Many types of diabetes pills can help people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood
glucose. Each type of pill helps lower blood glucose in a different way. The diabetes pill
(or pills) you take is from one of these groups. You might know your pill (or pills) by a
different name.

 

• Sulfonylureas (SUL-fah-nil-YOO-ree-ahs) stimulate your pancreas to make more insulin.
• Biguanides (by-GWAN-ides) decrease the amount of glucose made by your liver.
• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AL-fa gloo-KOS-ih-dayss in-HIB-it-ers) slow the absorption of the starches you eat.
• Thiazolidinediones (THIGH-ah-ZO-li-deen-DYE-owns) make you more sensitive to insulin.
• Meglitinides (meh-GLIT-in-ides) stimulate your pancreas to make more insulin.
• D-phenylalanine (dee-fen-nel-AL-ah-neen) derivatives help your pancreas make more
  insulin quickly.
• Combination oral medicines put together different kinds of pills.

Your doctor might prescribe one pill. If the pill does not lower your blood glucose, your
doctor may

• Ask you to take more of the same pills, or
• Add a new pill or insulin, or
• Ask you to change to another pill or insulin.