Type 2 Diabetes: Oral medication for diabetes

See our patient handout about oral medications for diabetes.

A. Biguanides

Metformin

  • Glucophage & generics 500-2500mg per day
  • Glumetza 500-2000mg per day

Works mainly by slowing down the glucose that is released by the liver and should be taken with food.

B. DPP-4 Inhibitors

  • Linagliptin (Trajenta) 5mg once daily 
  • Saxagliptin (Onglyza) 2.5mg or 5mg once daily 
  • Sitagliptin (Januvia) 25mg, 50mg or 100mg once daily 

Enhance the body's own ability to manage blood sugar levels.

  • Linagliptin/Metformin (Jentadueto) 5mg/1000mg-5mg/2000mg per day 
  • Empagliflozin/Linagliptin (Glyxambi) 10mg/5mg-25mg/5mg 
  • Saxagliptin/Metformin (Kombiglyze) 5mg/1000mg-5mg/2000mg per day 
  • Sitagliptin/Metformin (Janumet) 100mg/1000mg-100mg/2000mg per day 
  • Sitagliptin/Metformin extended release (Janumet XR) 100mg/1000mg- 100mg/2000mg per day (once daily) 

C. SGLT-2 Inhibitors

  • Canagliflozin (Invokana) 100-300mg once daily 
  • Dapagliflozin (Forxiga) 5-10mg once daily 
  • Empagliflozin (Jardiance) 10-25mg once daily 

Lowers blood glucose by eliminating it in the urine. Should be taken before the first meal of the day (if taken once daily).

  • Canagliflozin/Metformin (Invokamet) 100mg/1000mg-300mg/2000mg per day 
  • Dapaglifozin/Metformin (Xigduo) 10mg/1700mg-10mg/2000mg per day 
  • Empagliflozin/Metformin (Synjardy) 10mg/1000mg-25mg/2000mg 
  • Empagliflozin/Linagliptin (Glyxambi) 10mg/5mg-25mg/5mg

D. Secretagogues

Sulfonylureas

  • Glyburide (Diabeta & generics) 2.5-20mg per day
  • Gliclazide (Diamicron & generics) 80-320mg per day
  • Gliclazide MR (Diamicron MR & generics) 30-120mg per day
  • Glimepiride (Amaryl) 1-8mg per day

Non-sulfonylureas

  • Repaglinide (GlucoNorm) 0.5-4mg before meals

These medications help the pancreas make more insulin. They may cause low blood glucose and should be taken with food.

E. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors

  • Acarbose (Glucobay) 25-100mg before meals

Slows rate of carbohydrate absorption to keep blood glucose lower after meals. Should be taken with the first bite of food at each meal.

F. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)

  • Pioglitazone (Actos & generics) 15-45mg per day
  • Rosiglitazone (Avandia) 2-8mg per day

These medications make insulin work better. They may take up to 12 weeks to see results. Blood work must be done to check liver function (ordered by your doctor).

  • Avandamet (rosiglitazone/metformin) 2mg/500mg-8mg/2000mg per day
  • Avandaryl (rosiglitazone/glimepiride) 4mg/1mg-4mg/4mg per day
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