Type 2 diabetes typically affects older people more than Type 1 diabetes. The latter begins generally when you're young and your body doesn't produce much or any insulin. Type 2 diabetes tends to start later in life, which is why it has been called adult-onset diabetes, the Mayo Clinic reports. In this condition, your body still produces insulin but not enough to totally balance the glucose sugar in your bloodstream. It can be controlled in most people through diet and medications.
Metformin
Metformin is the generic name for the most commonly prescribed medication in the United States to treat Type 2 diabetes. It's prescribed with such brand names as Riomet, Glucophage, Glumetza and Fortamet. Metformin works to balance the insulin and glucose levels in your bloodstream to prevent an excess of the sugar from affecting you. It typically is prescribed along with a diabetic diet to maintain this balance. It also may be prescribed with other medications if your diabetes worsens. Common side effects are categorized as temporary and not serious. They include appetite loss, loss of weight, vomiting, heartburn and flatulence.
Glyburide
Glyburide is sold in the U.S. as Micronase, Glycron, Diabeta and Glynase Pres-Tab. It's a sulfonylurea medicine that may be prescribed by itself or with metformin or other drugs. With glyburide use, your pancreas produces more insulin to help reach the balance with glucose your body needs to stay healthy. There are no common side effects of glyburide, the Mayo Clinic reports.
Sitagliptin
Sitagliptin works much the same way as glyburide. It induces the pancreas to put more insulin into your body. It's sold in the U.S. as Januvia. Like other non-insulin medications for diabetes, it only works well when a proper diabetic diet is followed. Common side effects of sitagliptin when you begin treatment include voice loss, bodily pain, breathing difficulties and flu-like effects such as a cough, sneezing, a sore throat, fever and nasal congestion.
Glimepiride
This medication, sold as Amaryl, works the opposite side of Type 2 diabetes. It functions by reducing the amount of glucose in your system, RxList.com says. It, too, is prescribed along with a diet and exercise to control Type 2 diabetes. Common side effects of the medication include hypoglycemia or too little glucose in your body, as well as nausea, headaches and dizziness.
