Non-insulin medicines

Non-insulin medicines can be used to lower blood glucose (blood sugar) levels and are often used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Non-insulin medicines for diabetes include:

• tablets and medicines taken orally (by mouth), e.g. metformin
• medicines given as an injection, e.g. exenatide

Some people need to take a combination of medicines to control their diabetes. Others need to take insulin and sometimes other diabetes medicines as well.

Your doctor will recommend the treatment that best suits you.

If you take too much or the wrong type of medicine

If you have taken too much or the wrong type of diabetes medicine, it’s important that you contact your doctor or diabetes nurse or educator for advice.

Taking too much diabetes medicine can cause your blood glucose level to drop too low. This is known as hypoglycaemia or a hypo, and can lead to a serious situation if not addressed.

• If you think you may have taken too much diabetes medicine and you monitor your blood glucose at home, test your blood glucose level as soon as possible. If you don’t monitor glucose levels routinely, contact your doctor or seek other medical advice straight away.
• If you find your blood glucose level is low, you will need to address this straight away.

Get helpful tips about non-insulin devices.