2015

Diabetes can make it hard to control how 

much sugar (called glucose) is in your blood.

There is hope!

Some people with diabetes can take medicines 

to help keep their blood sugar at a healthy 

level. 

This booklet gives some basic facts about the 

medicines used to treat people with diabetes. 

Insulin is covered in a separate booklet.

Use this guide to help you talk to your 

doctor, nurse or pharmacist about the kind of 

medicine that is right for you. 

Do not wait. Diabetes is a serious illness.

Diabetes can cause a heart attack, stroke, 

blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage, and 

other serious health problems. This is why it is 

so important for you to get treatment for your 

diabetes. Treatment can help prevent or slow 

some of these serious health problems.

You can control your diabetes.

Diabetes Medicines

Diabetes Tips

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Talk to your doctor before you 

change or stop taking your 

diabetes medicines.

People with type 1 diabetes 

must use insulin.

Ask your doctor about your 

target blood sugar level.

Talk to your doctor or nurse 

about what you should do if 

your blood sugar gets too low 

or too high. 

Ask your doctor if your 

diabetes medicines will 

affect your other medicines 

including your birth control.

Check the FDA website to learn more about Women and Diabetes: 

www.fda.gov/womensdiabetes
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Do I need to take diabetes medicines?

Some people with diabetes need to use medicines everyday. What you need depends 

on your health and the type of diabetes you have. Your doctor can tell you if you 

need to use medicine to treat your diabetes.

Type 1 

Diabetes 

Type 2 

Diabetes 

Gestational 

Diabetes 

People with type 1 diabetes make very little on no insulin in 

their bodies. They must take insulin everyday to stay alive.

People with type 2 diabetes do not make enough insulin or do 

not use it well enough. Some people with type 2 diabetes can 

use pills or other medicines that are injected into the body. 

Other people with type 2 diabetes need insulin to help control 

their diabetes.

Some women develop diabetes for the first time when they 

become pregnant. This is called gestational (jes-Tay-shun-ul) 

diabetes. Some women with gestational diabetes need to use 

insulin to control their blood sugar. 

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There are a few kinds of medicines used to treat 

diabetes. Each kind affects your body in a different 

way. Some diabetes medicines are taken as pills that 

you swallow. There are other medicines that you 

inject.

Some people with diabetes need to use medicines 

every day. What you need depends on your health 

and the type of diabetes you have. Your healthcare 

provider can tell you if you need to use medicine to 

treat your diabetes.
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What You Can Do About Side Effects

Diabetes medicines affect each person differently. These medicines can sometimes 

cause side effects. The side effects will depend on your body and the type of medicine 

you are taking. Follow these tips to help you learn how to handle the side effects.

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Get the facts. Ask your healthcare 

provider for the side effects, warnings, 

and other facts for the medicines you 

are taking. This booklet does not 

give all facts for each kind of diabetes 

medicine. 

Speak up. Tell someone about any 

problems you may be having with 

your medicines. Your doctor may 

change your medicine or give you tips 

to help you deal with the side effects.

Check the FDA website. You can 

find up-to-date safety information 

about your medicine at: www.fda.gov

Report serious problems with your medicines.

You or your doctor can tell the FDA about serious problems with your medicines. 

Report Online at: www.fda.gov/medwatch

Call 1-800-FDA-1088 to request a form.

Talk to your doctor before you change or 

stop taking your medicines. Diabetes Tip:
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Brand Name Other Name

Prandin Repaglinide

Starlix Nateglinide

Meglitinides

Some Things To Think About

Before you start taking these medicines, tell your 

healthcare provider if:

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you have liver or kidney problems. 

you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Common Side Effects

Hypoglycemia (blood sugar that is too low)

Brand Name Other Name

Glyset Miglitol

Precose Acarbose

Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors

Some Things To Think About

Before you start taking these medicines, tell 

your healthcare provider if:

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you have heart, liver, or kidney problems 

you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

These medicines are not likely to cause low 

blood sugar or weight gain. 

Common Side Effects 

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Stomach Pain

Diarrhea

Gas

Abnormal Liver Tests

How do they work? These pills help your 

body make more insulin around mealtime.

How do they work? These pills help your 

body digest sugar more slowly.

Diabetes Medicines

The different kinds of diabetes medicines are listed on the next few pages. These 

medicines are most often used to treat type 2 diabetes. The brand names and other 

names are given for each drug. There are also some general tips about each kind of 

diabetes medicine. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to tell you the side effects 

and warnings for the medicines you are taking. This guide does not give all of the side 

effects or warnings for each medicine.
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Diabetes Medicines

Brand Name Other Name

Actos Pioglitazone

Avandia Rosiglitazone

Thiazolidinediones

Some Things To Think About

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Before you start taking these drugs, tell your 

doctor if you have heart failure.

Before you take Actos, tell your doctor if 

you are a premenopausal woman (before the 

“change of life”) who does not have periods 

regularly or at all. ACTOS may increase 

your chance of becoming pregnant. Talk to 

your doctor about birth control choices while 

taking ACTOS.

These medicines may raise your chance of 

having a broken bone (fracture).

Common Side Effects 

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Fluid Retention 

Weight Gain

Heart Failure (heart cannot pump blood well)

Anemia (low red blood cell counts)

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

Brand Name Other Name

Januvia Sitagliptin

Onglyza Saxagliptin

Nesina Alogliptin

Tradjenta Linagliptin

DPP-4 Inhibitors

Some Things To Think About

• Call your doctor right away if you have severe

stomach pain or vomiting. This may be a sign

of a serious side effect.

Common Side Effects 

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• 

Upper Respiratory Infection

Headache

How do they work? These pills help the 

cells in your body use glucose.

How do they work? These pills help your 

body release more insulin.
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Brand Name Other Name

Fortamet Metformin

Glucophage Metformin

Glucophage XR 

(long-lasting extended 

release)

Metformin

Glumetza Metformin

Riomet Metformin

Biguanides

Some Things To Think About

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Talk to your doctor about your kidney health 

before you start and while you are taking this 

type of medicine.

These medicines are not likely to cause low 

blood sugar or weight gain.

People who drink a lot of alcohol and people 

with kidney problems may have a rare side 

effect called lactic acidosis (acid build up in the 

blood). 

Common Side Effects 

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Diarrhea •

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Gas

Indigestion Feeling Weak

Nausea and Vomiting Headache

Diabetes Medicines

Brand Name Other Name

Amaryl Glimepiride

Diabeta 

Glynase

Glyburide

Diabinese Chlorpropamide

Glucotrol 

Glucotrol XL 

(extended release)

Glipizide

No brand name Tolbutamide

No brand name Tolazamide

Sulfonylureas

Some Things To Think About

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Before you start taking these drugs, tell 

your doctor you have heart, liver, or kidney 

problems.

Older adults and people with kidney or liver 

problems may be more likely to have low 

blood sugar when taking these medicines. 

Common Side Effects 

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Hypoglycemia (blood sugar that is too low)

Weight Gain

Headache

Dizziness

How do they work? These pills help your 

body make more insulin.

How do they work? These pills stop your 

liver from making too much sugar (glucose). 

They also help the sugar get into your cells.
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Diabetes Medicines

Brand Name Other Name

Cycloset Bromocriptine

Dopamine Receptor Agonists

Some Things To Think About

• Do not take this medicine if you are

breastfeeding.

Common Side Effects 

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Nausea

Headache

Feel Very Tired

Feel Dizzy

Vomiting

Brand Name Other Name

Welchol Colesevelam

Bile Acid Sequestrants

Some Things To Think About

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This medicine is also used to treat high 

cholesterol. 

Tell your doctor if you are taking other 

cholesterol medicines.

Common Side Effects 

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Constipation

Dyspepsia (Upset Stomach/ Indigestion)

Nausea

How do they work? This pill affects a 

chemical called dopamine in your cells. It is not 

clear how this pill works for diabetes. 

How do they work? It is not clear how this 

pill works for diabetes.
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Diabetes Medicines

SGLT2 Inhibitors

Some Things To Think About

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• 

Do not take these drugs if you have severe 

kidney problems or are on dialysis.

Before you take these drugs, tell your doctor 

if you have kidney or liver problems.

Common Side Effects 

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Vaginal Yeast Infections 

Urinary Tract Infections 

Changes in Urination

Combination Medicines

How do they work? These pills affect the 

kidney to increase the amount of sugar that goes 

out in the urine.

These combinations are made up of two kinds 

of medicines. Ask your doctor for the facts about 

the combination drug you are taking.

Brand Name

Farxiga

Other Name

Dapagliflozin

Invokana Canagliflozin

Jardiance Empagliflozin

Brand Name Other Name

ActoPlus Met Pioglitazone and 

Metformin

ActoPlus Met XR

(extended release)

Avandamet

Pioglitazone and 

Metformin

Rosiglitazone and 

Metformin

Avandaryl

Duetact

Glucovance

Rosiglitazone and 

Glimepiride

Pioglitazone and 

Glimepiride

Glyburide and 

Metformin

Invokamet Canagliflozin and

Metformin

Janumet Sitagliptin and 

Metformin

Janumet XR

(extended release)

Jentadueto

Sitagliptin and 

Metformin

Linagliptin and 

Metformin

Kazano Alogliptin and 

Metformin

Kombiglyze Saxagliptin and 

Metformin

Kombiglyze XR

(extended release)

Metaglip

Saxagliptin and 

Metformin

Glipizide and 

Metformin

Oseni

PrandiMet

Alogliptin and 

Pioglitazone

Repaglinide and 

Metformin

Xigduo XR Dapagliflozin and 

Metformin
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Brand Name Other Name

Symlin Pramlintide Acetate

Amylin Analog

Some Things To Think About

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People who use insulin can also use Symlin. 

People with type 1 diabetes can use Symlin.

Symlin should be taken in a separate injection. 

Do not mix Symlin and insulin in the same 

injection.

This medicine is usually taken before meals.

Some people feel nauseous when they first start 

taking this medicine.

Diabetes Medicines

Brand Name

Byetta

Other Name

Exenatide

Bydureon Exenatide

Tanzeum Albiglutide

Trulicity Dulagludtide

Victoza Liraglutide

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

Some Things To Think About

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These medicines are not the same as insulin.

Some people feel nauseous when they first 

start taking these medicines.

These are medicines that you inject under 

your skin. These medicines should not be used 

instead of insulin. 

This is a medicine that you inject under your 

skin. This medicine should not be used instead 

of insulin. 
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My Diabetes Medicines

Write down the facts about your diabetes medicines the next time you talk to your 

doctor, nurse, or diabetes educator. 

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How will my medicines affect my blood sugar? 

Will it affect my other medicines? 

What are the side effects? 

What do I do if I start having side effects? 

What should I do if I am pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding?

What else should I know about my diabetes medicines? 

Medicine Name How Much Do 

I Take

When Do I 

Take it Important Facts
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Sign Up for a Pregnancy Registry

Pregnancy Exposure Registries are research 

studies that collect information from women 

who take prescription medicines or vaccines 

during pregnancy.

Pregnancy registries can help women and 

their doctors learn more about how diabetes 

medicines affect women during pregnancy.

The FDA does not run pregnancy studies, 

but it keeps a list of registries. Check to 

see if there is a registry for your diabetes 

medicine or other medicines at: 

www.fda.gov/pregnancyregistries

This booklet should not be used in place of talking to your doctor or reading the label 

on your medicine. This booklet does not list all of the benefits or risks of taking these 

medicines. The drug and risk information in this booklet may change. Check the FDA 

website for the latest facts on each medicine.

www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/
Take Time To Care about Diabetes 2015

This booklet was developed by the U.S. Food 

and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of 

Women’s Health. To download free copies of 

this booklet and other diabetes materials visit:

www.fda.gov/womens

You Can Control Your Diabetes

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Make a plan. Work with your doctor, nurse, or diabetes educator to plan 

how you will manage your diabetes.

Check your blood sugar. Use your glucose meter to test your blood 

glucose (sugar) level.

Watch what you eat. Work with your health care team to come up with 

a meal plan just for you.

Use medicines wisely. Ask your health care provider when and how to 

safely use your diabetes medicines.

Be active and get exercise. Dance, take a walk, or join an exercise class. 

Check with your doctor about safe ways to be more active. 

Monitor your overall mental and physical health. Work with your 

health care team to keep your feet, eyes, heart, and teeth healthy.