Oral glucose lowering agents (oral anti-diabetic medications): These are the tablets that are used to treat diabetes. There are different types of tablets available that are used to treat different aspects of diabetes. The 2 main types of tablets that are used are:
- Sensitizers (metformin) are used to treat insulin resistance. In people with type 2 diabetes, due to being overweight, they have insulin resistance i.e. the body's cells are resistant to insulin, and therefore insulin cannot work effectively. Metformin assists by reducing insulin resistance at the insulin receptors on the body's cells, thereby allowing the insulin that the body produces to activate the insulin receptors thereby allowing insulin to work effectively and lower blood glucose levels.
- Secretagogues: (Sulphonylureas are the most commonly used tablets) These are used to stimulate (kick start) the pancreas (beta-cells) to make more and release more insulin thereby increasing the amount of insulin circulating and thus lowering blood glucose levels.
Often your doctor will prescribe these 2 types of tablets together.