People with diabetes have blood glucose levels that are too high. Type 2 diabetes occurs when not enough insulin is being produced or the body is unable to utilize it appropriately. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps move glucose from digested food into the cells of the body. Type 2 diabetes is treated with medicines and healthy food choices.
Metformin
Consumer Reports Health Organization rates Metformin as the number-one prescribed diabetes medication. It can be used by itself or in combination with other medications to treat type 2 diabetes. It acts by decreasing the amount of glucose the body absorbs from food or the amount of glucose produced by the liver. It also increases the body’s response to insulin. Metformin is available in the form of a tablet that is taken thrice daily and an extended release tablet taken once a day.
Glipizide
The second most frequently prescribed diabetes medication, according to Consumer Reports Health Organization, is glipizide. It lowers the amount of blood glucose by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. Glipizide also helps the body use the produced insulin more efficiently. It comes in the form of a tablet that is taken once a day, usually at breakfast.
Glimepiride
Glimepiride is the third most frequently prescribed diabetes medication, as described by Consumer Reports Health Organization. It is used in combination with diet and exercise to control type 2 diabetes. Like glipizide, it stimulates the pancreas to secrete more insulin and use it more efficiently. It comes as an oral tablet that should be taken once a day with the first big meal.
