Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes: What Are the Treatment Options

Type 2 diabetes is a common and chronic condition that affects more than 4.2 million people in the UK. It is a long-term medical condition in which blood glucose (sugar) levels become too high because the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly. Some people with type 2 diabetes may eventually need treatment, which may be given in form of oral tablets, and injectable medicines taken once or several times a day, depending on their individual needs.

Ways to Treat Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes can be managed through a combination of lifestyle changes, medicines, and regular monitoring. The treatment plan depends on blood glucose levels, overall health, and how the condition responds to treatment.

Healthy diet – Eating balanced meals with vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and high-fibre foods can help manage blood glucose levels.

Regular physical activity – Exercise helps the body use insulin more effectively and can support blood glucose control and weight management.

Weight management – If a person is overweight, losing a modest amount of weight may improve blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity.

Oral diabetes medicines – Medicines such as metformin are prescribed as a first line treatment to help lower blood glucose and improve the body’s response to insulin.

Injectable medicines – Some people may need injectable medicines, such as insulin or GLP-1 receptor agonists, depending on their individual treatment needs.

Blood glucose monitoring – Regular monitoring can help people and their healthcare professionals understand how well treatment is working and whether changes are needed.

Regular medical check-ups – Ongoing healthcare appointments help monitor blood glucose and check for complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and feet.

Medications for Type 2 Diabetes

Several types of medicines can be used to manage type 2 diabetes. The choice depends on blood glucose levels, other health conditions, weight, and how well the person responds to treatment.

Metformin: Often used as an initial treatment. It helps reduce the amount of glucose produced by the liver and improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin.

SGLT2 inhibitors: Medicines such as dapagliflozin and empagliflozin help the kidneys remove excess glucose from the body through urine. They may also provide benefits for some people with heart or kidney disease.

GLP-1 receptor agonists: Medicines such as semaglutide and dulaglutide can help lower blood glucose, reduce appetite, and slow stomach emptying. Some are also used to support weight management.

DPP-4 inhibitors: Medicines such as sitagliptin and linagliptin help the body increase insulin release when blood glucose levels are high.

Sulfonylureas: Medicines such as gliclazide stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin.

Insulin: Some people with type 2 diabetes may eventually need insulin injections when other treatments do not provide adequate blood glucose control or when insulin levels are very low.

Treatment may involve one medicine or a combination of medicines. A healthcare professional can determine which treatment is appropriate based on the individual’s needs.

Side Effects of Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Treatment for type 2 diabetes can cause different side effects depending on the medicine, dose, and individual response. Some common treatment-related effects include:

Low Blood Sugar

Hypoglycaemia can occur with certain diabetes medicines, particularly insulin and sulfonylureas. Symptoms may include sweating, shaking, hunger, dizziness, weakness, and confusion.

Digestive Problems

Some medicines can cause nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, stomach discomfort, or changes in appetite. These effects may improve as the body adjusts to treatment.

Weight Changes

Some diabetes medicines may contribute to weight gain, while others may lead to weight loss or reduced appetite. The effect depends on the medicine being used.

Increased Urination

SGLT2 inhibitors lower blood glucose by helping the kidneys remove excess glucose through urine. This can increase urination and may contribute to dehydration.

Genital or Urinary Infections

SGLT2 inhibitors can increase the amount of glucose in the urine, which may increase the risk of genital fungal infections and urinary tract infections in some people.

Injection-Site Reactions

People using injectable diabetes medicines may experience redness, swelling, itching, or discomfort at the injection site.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Long-term metformin use may reduce vitamin B12 levels in some people. Healthcare professionals may recommend monitoring B12 levels when appropriate.

Can You Reverse Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes cannot currently be considered permanently cured, but some people can achieve remission. This means their blood glucose levels return to a non-diabetes range and remain there without the need for  medication for Type 2 diabetes.

However, remission is not possible for everyone, and diabetes can return if blood glucose levels rise again. Even after reaching remission, regular diabetes check-ups and monitoring are important.

Source

nhs.uk

diabetes.org.uk