Only people with type 2 diabetes can use medications other than insulin to manage their diabetes, people with type 1 diabetes must use insulin.
Type 2 diabetes treatment plans usually include meal planning and physical activity along with your diabetes medication. This way you have three therapies working together to manage your blood glucose levels. Start by considering your options and see what might work best for you.
Diabetes is a progressive disease and medications sometimes stop working as well over time. When this happens adjustments to your medication or combination therapy can help, which may include adding insulin to your treatment plan. This doesn't mean you're doing something wrong.
Even if diabetes other medications do bring your blood glucose levels near the normal range, you may need to take insulin if you have a severe infection or need surgery. Other medications may not be able to keep your blood glucose levels in your target range during these stressful times that affect your blood glucose.
Also, if you're not taking insulin but plan to or become pregnant, you may need insulin to manage your diabetes.
Is There a Danger of Interactions?
In general, diabetes medications are safe and work well. But like any other medication, they must be used with care.
Diabetes medications can interact with other medications. Because of the chance of these interactions, you need to tell your doctor about everything you are taking, including over-the-counter medications and vitamins and other supplements. While you're taking diabetes medications, you should also check with your doctor before starting anything new—even over-the-counter items.
