Diabetes Medications List (Type 1 and 2)

Effective diabetes management calls for more than just lifestyle adjustments. Medication is also frequently used to regulate blood sugar and lessen complications. Knowing the medications that are available to you and your healthcare provider can help you make well-informed decisions regarding your treatment plan, regardless of whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a long-term condition in which blood sugar levels stay higher than normal. This happens when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or when the body can’t use the insulin it produces effectively.

According to the World Health Organization, the number of people living with diabetes has climbed from about 200 million in 1990 to more than 800 million in 2022. The increase has been especially steep in low- and middle-income countries, where access to prevention and care can be more limited.

As a result, the selection for diabetes treatments keeps growing and changing, providing a greater variety of drugs and methods catered to specific requirements, lifestyles, and medical conditions.

What are the two types of diabetes?

Diabetes has two major types: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Both these types require medications to help manage blood sugar levels. 

Plain-language takeaway:

• Type 1 diabetes: the body makes little to no insulin, so insulin is required.
• Type 2 diabetes: the body still makes insulin, but doesn’t use it well (insulin resistance), and insulin production can decline over time. Many medication classes are available; the “best” choice depends on heart/kidney health, weight goals, hypoglycemia risk, cost, and preferences.

Regional note: This article reflects U.S. guidance and FDA approvals; availability, indications, and insurance coverage vary by country and can change over time.

Quick comparison table of diabetes drug classes

This table is meant for fast “at-a-glance” understanding. Details, dosing examples, and cautions are expanded below.

Type 1 Diabetes Medications

Insulin Type

Short-acting (Regular)

• Onset: About 30 minutes
• Peak: 2–3 hours
• Duration: 3–6 hours
• Examples (US Brand Names): Humulin R U-100, Novolin R FlexPen, Novolin R ReliOn, Novolin R FlexPen ReliOn

Rapid-acting

• Onset: About 15 minutes
• Peak: 1–2 hours
• Duration: 2–4 hours
• Examples (US Brand Names):
  • Inhaled insulin: Afrezza
  • Insulin aspart: Fiasp, Fiasp FlexTouch, Fiasp PenFill, NovoLog, NovoLog FlexPen, NovoLog FlexTouch, NovoLog PenFill, ReliOn NovoLog, ReliOn NovoLog FlexPen
  • Insulin glulisine: Apidra, Apidra SoloStar
  • Insulin lispro: Admelog, Admelog SoloStar, Humalog, Humalog KwikPen, Humalog Junior KwikPen
  • Insulin lispro-aabc: Lyumjev, Lyumjev KwikPen

Intermediate-acting

• Onset: 2–4 hours
• Peak: About 12 hours
• Duration: 12–18 hours
• Examples (US Brand Names): Insulin isophane (NPH): Humulin N U-100, Humulin N KwikPen, Novolin N, Novolin N FlexPen, Novolin N ReliOn, Novolin N FlexPen ReliOn

Long-acting

• Onset: 1–2 hours (varies)
• Peak: None (steady release)
• Duration: Up to 24+ hours
• Examples (US Brand Names):
  • Insulin degludec: Tresiba, Tresiba FlexTouch
  • Insulin detemir: Levemir
  • Insulin glargine: Basaglar KwikPen, Lantus, Lantus SoloStar, Toujeo SoloStar, Toujeo Max SoloStar, Semglee-yfgn (insulin glargine-yfgn)
  • Concentrated regular insulin: Humulin R U-500, Humulin R U-500 KwikPen

Combination (Premixed)

• Onset, peak, and duration: Vary by mix; designed to cover both mealtime and basal needs
• Examples (US Brand Names):
  • Insulin aspart protamine/insulin aspart 70/30: NovoLog Mix 70/30, NovoLog Mix 70/30 FlexPen
  • Insulin isophane/regular insulin 70/30: Humulin 70/30, Humulin 70/30 KwikPen, Novolin 70/30, Novolin 70/30 FlexPen, Novolin 70/30 FlexPen ReliOn
  • Insulin lispro protamine/insulin lispro 50/50: Humalog Mix 50/50, Humalog Mix 50/50 KwikPen
  • Insulin lispro protamine/insulin lispro 75/25: Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog Mix 75/25 KwikPen

Other Medications

High Blood Pressure Medications

• Purpose: Protect kidney health and control blood pressure in people with diabetes
• Examples / Notes: ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril) or ARBs (losartan, valsartan); typically recommended if blood pressure is greater than 140/90 mm Hg

Aspirin

• Purpose: Lowers risk of heart attack or stroke (cardiovascular events)
• Examples / Notes: Baby aspirin or regular aspirin daily may be recommended if your provider thinks you’re at increased cardiovascular risk; risks of bleeding should be discussed with your provider

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

• Purpose: Reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and improve lipid profile to lower heart disease risk
• Examples / Notes:
  • Statins are most common
  • ADA targets: LDL <100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L); HDL >50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in women and >40 mg/dL (1 mmol/L) in men; triglycerides <150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)

Type 2 Diabetes Medications

Insulin

• How It Works: For people with type 2 diabetes who can’t make enough insulin. Same types used in type 1 diabetes; type depends on severity of deficiency.
• Examples: See “Types of Insulin” list above (short-, rapid-, intermediate-, long-acting, premixed).

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors

• How It Works: Slow the breakdown of starchy foods and sugar to lower post-meal blood sugar.
• Examples / Notes: acarbose, miglitol (Glyset). Take before meals. May cause hypoglycemia if combined with other diabetes meds.

Biguanides

• How It Works: Decrease glucose production in the liver and absorption in the intestines; improve muscle glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity.
• Examples / Notes: metformin (Glumetza, Riomet, Riomet ER); combinations include metformin-alogliptin (Kazano), metformin-canagliflozin (Invokamet), metformin-dapagliflozin (Xigduo XR), metformin-empagliflozin (Synjardy), metformin-pioglitazone (Actoplus Met), metformin-sitagliptin (Janumet).

Dopamine-2 agonist

• How It Works: May influence body rhythms and reduce insulin resistance; can also help with cholesterol or weight management.
• Examples / Notes: bromocriptine (Cycloset, Parlodel).

DPP-4 inhibitors

• How It Works: Block DPP-4 enzyme to preserve incretin hormones, which help the pancreas release insulin and reduce liver glucose output without causing hypoglycemia.
• Examples / Notes: alogliptin (Nesina); linagliptin (Tradjenta); saxagliptin (Onglyza); sitagliptin (Januvia); and combination products such as Kazano, Glyxambi, Jentadueto, Kombiglyze XR, Janumet, Juvisync.

GLP-1 receptor agonists

• How It Works: Mimic incretin hormones to increase insulin secretion, slow stomach emptying, reduce glucagon, suppress appetite, and may aid weight loss. ADA recommends certain agents for people with cardiovascular disease, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease.
• Examples / Notes: dulaglutide (Trulicity); exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon BCise); liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda); lixisenatide (Adlyxin); semaglutide (Ozempic); tirzepatide (Mounjaro).

Meglitinides

• How It Works: Stimulate the pancreas to release insulin; risk of hypoglycemia especially with kidney disease.
• Examples / Notes: nateglinide (Starlix); repaglinide (Prandin).

SGLT2 inhibitors

• How It Works: Prevent kidneys from reabsorbing glucose so it is excreted in urine. ADA recommends for people with cardiovascular disease, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease.
• Examples / Notes: canagliflozin (Invokana); dapagliflozin (Farxiga); empagliflozin (Jardiance); ertugliflozin (Steglatro); and combination forms such as Invokamet, Xigduo XR, Qtern, Synjardy, Trijardy XR.

Sulfonylureas

• How It Works: One of the oldest diabetes drug classes; stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin.
• Examples / Notes: glimepiride (Amaryl); glipizide (Glucotrol XL); glyburide (Glynase); and combinations such as Duetact, Glucovance.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)

• How It Works: Reduce liver glucose production and improve insulin sensitivity in fat tissue. Increased risk of heart problems.
• Examples / Notes: pioglitazone (Actos); rosiglitazone (Avandia); and combinations such as Oseni, Duetact, Actoplus Met.

Things to Consider In Choosing Diabetes Medications

Choosing the right diabetes medication isn’t one-size-fits-all. ADA emphasizes shared decision-making and selection based on glucose-lowering efficacy, side effects (including hypoglycemia), comorbidities (ASCVD/HF/CKD), treatment burden, and affordability.

A practical “how to choose” checklist (patient-centered)

Safety first

• Kidney function (eGFR) can change which diabetes medicines are appropriate or how they are dosed.
• Hypoglycemia risk is highest with insulin, sulfonylureas, and meglitinides.

Comorbidities matter (often “A1C-independent”)
If you have T2D plus ASCVD/HF/CKD, ADA recommends choosing agents with proven benefit (often GLP-1 RA and/or SGLT2 inhibitor), sometimes regardless of current A1C.

Weight goals and preferences
For many people with T2D and overweight/obesity, GLP-1–based therapies (including dual GIP/GLP-1) can be prioritized for clinically meaningful weight loss alongside glucose lowering.

Cost and access
Medication costs can drive nonadherence and worse outcomes; ADA stresses screening for cost-related barriers and engaging the care team to find cost-saving options.

Monitoring and follow-up (add as a patient-friendly box)

• A1C testing: ADA notes A1C is typically assessed about every 3 months when therapy is changing or goals aren’t met; people meeting goals may only need A1C twice a year.
• CGM: ADA’s 2026 updates state CGM is recommended at diabetes onset and thereafter for people on insulin and in other situations where CGM helps management.Frequently Asked Questions

Hypoglycemia management

When is blood sugar “low”? ADA patient education generally defines low blood glucose as <70 mg/dL.

15-15 rule (easy patient instructions):

1. Take 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate.
2. Wait 15 minutes, then recheck.
3. If still low, repeat.

Glucagon for severe hypoglycemia:
ADA Standards note glucagon is indicated when someone cannot or will not take carbs by mouth, and people at high risk for hypoglycemia (especially those using insulin) should be prescribed glucagon; newer “ready-to-use” products that don’t require mixing are often preferred for ease of administration.

Injection and insulin administration tips

Insulin injection steps (outline):

• Wash hands; gather supplies (insulin pen/vial, needle/syringe, alcohol swab, sharps container).
• Confirm insulin name, concentration, and expiration; inspect appearance (do not use if clumped/discolored).
• Choose site (abdomen, thigh, upper arm); rotate sites to reduce lipohypertrophy, which can cause erratic absorption and glucose variability.
• Use appropriate needle length; ADA notes short needles (e.g., 4 mm) are effective and often better tolerated.
• If using a pen: attach needle, prime per device instructions.
• Inject at recommended angle, deliver dose fully, hold briefly (per device guidance), then remove.
• Dispose of needles safely in sharps container.
• Store insulin correctly: many manufacturers recommend refrigeration for unopened insulin, and many opened products are kept at room temperature for about a month (product-specific).

Pregnancy and pediatrics considerations

These sections can prevent high-stakes confusion and improve trust.

Pregnancy (preexisting diabetes or diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy):

• ADA states metformin and glyburide should not be used as first-line agents for diabetes management in pregnancy because both cross the placenta.
• ADA notes sulfonylureas cross the placenta and glyburide has been associated in meta-analyses with higher neonatal hypoglycemia and macrosomia compared with insulin or metformin.
• GLP-1–based therapies (including tirzepatide) have pregnancy warnings in labeling and are generally avoided; clinicians should counsel on reproductive planning and medication changes.
• If pregnancy is possible, therapy selection should be discussed early (preconception planning is ideal).

Pediatrics (Type 2): FDA approvals are expanding but still limited
Multiple newer agents now include pediatric indications (age 10 years and older) in labeling, including:

• Empagliflozin (Jardiance)
• Dapagliflozin (Farxiga)
• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
  These approvals can change; pediatric care should be managed with clinicians experienced in youth-onset diabetes.

A Healthy Lifestyle Still Matters

For the best diabetes control, lifestyle modifications such as regular monitoring, stress management, physical activity, and balanced nutrition are still necessary even with the best medications.

To ensure that treatment plans genuinely fit their daily lives, we at iCare Med Group in Monterey Park and Rowland Heights encourage patients to make an appointment for individualized consultations. Learn how we partner with patients for lifelong health.

Our team, led by Dr. Edwin Yau, adopts a comprehensive strategy to help you attain long-lasting, sustainable results by addressing physical and mental health, blood sugar control, and preventive care.