Diabetes Medications: An Overview of Treatment Options

Several types of medication are available for treating diabetes, and the right choice depends on the type of diabetes, blood sugar targets, other health conditions, and individual response — a decision made between you and your doctor, not something to choose independently.

Type 1 Diabetes: Insulin

Because the pancreas no longer produces insulin, insulin therapy — through injections or an insulin pump — is always required for type 1 diabetes. Different insulin types vary in how quickly they act and how long they last, and are typically combined to mimic the body's natural insulin patterns.

Type 2 Diabetes: Multiple Options

• Metformin — usually the first medication tried, works mainly by reducing glucose production in the liver
• Other oral medications — several other drug classes work in different ways, including increasing insulin sensitivity, helping the kidneys remove excess glucose, or stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin
• GLP-1 receptor agonists and similar injectable medications — originally developed for type 2 diabetes, these also affect appetite and weight; our GLP-1 weight-loss injections guide covers this class in depth
• Insulin — sometimes needed for type 2 diabetes as well, particularly if other medications aren't achieving blood sugar targets

Hypoglycemia Risk Isn't the Same for Every Medication

An Important Note

This is a general overview, not a guide to choosing or dosing any specific medication. Kidney and liver function are among the individual health factors that can affect which medications are appropriate or how they're dosed. Medication choice depends on many individual factors, and starting, stopping, or adjusting any diabetes medication should always be done with a doctor.