Is there a better drug for type 2 diabetes than metformin?

Asked by: Granville Baumbach V  |  Last update: October 12, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (20 votes)

GLP – 1 Receptor Agonists (Bydureon, Byetta, Ozempic, Adlyxin, Rybelsus, Trulicity, and Victoza) Usage: This is another alternative to metformin. This comes in both oral and injection forms. GLP-1 receptor agonists are safe for kidney patients as it reduces risks of kidney damage and also support heart health.

Is there anything better than metformin for diabetes?

GLP-1 receptor agonists are another option if Metformin isn't working for you. These can either be taken orally or through an injection (either once a day or once weekly). They are proven to lower blood sugar levels and HbA1c levels, as well as protect against kidney disease and heart disease as well.

What is the best drug of choice for type 2 diabetes?

Metformin (biguanide class)

Metformin is considered the first-line oral agent for patients with diabetes and can be used to treat pre-diabetes. It works by decreasing glucose production in the liver, increasing insulin sensitivity, and lowering intestinal sugar absorption.

What is the best and safest medication for type 2 diabetes?

Most experts consider metformin to be the safest medicine for type 2 diabetes because it has been used for many decades, is effective, affordable, and safe.

What is the newest treatment for type 2 diabetes?

In Clinical Trials, Treatment Proved More Effective Than Other Therapies Evaluated. Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, as an addition to diet and exercise.

Metformin Alternatives: You Can Take WITH or WITHOUT Metformin!

19 related questions found

What is the new pill for type 2 diabetes 2023?

Cite this: FDA Approves New Type 2 Diabetes Drug Bexagliflozin - Medscape - Jan 23, 2023.

Why do doctors no longer prescribe metformin?

Medicines containing guanidine, such as metformin and phenformin, were developed to treat diabetes. But they fell out of favor due to serious side effects caused by phenformin, and by the discovery of insulin.

What type 2 diabetes treatment has the least side effects?

What is the best diabetes medication with the least side effects? Metformin is a first-line diabetes treatment because it has fewer side effects than many other types of medications used to treat high blood sugar.

What can I take naturally instead of metformin?

The second metformin alternative is berberine, or berberine hydrochloride, a chemical found in various plants, including goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape, and turmeric. According to research, berberine may effectively treat various illnesses, including inflammation, diabetes, and obesity.

Which diabetes is harder to treat?

Brittle diabetes is diabetes that's especially difficult to manage and often disrupts everyday life. People with brittle diabetes have severe swings in blood glucose (blood sugar). The swings can cause frequent episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

What is a good A1C for a Type 2 diabetic on medication?

An A1c goal of between 7% and 8% is reasonable and beneficial for most patients with type 2 diabetes… … though if lifestyle changes can get that number lower, then go for it.

What drink lowers blood sugar?

These 3 Drinks Help Keep Your Blood Sugar Balanced
  • Water. Water indirectly lowers our blood sugar by giving us the sensation of feeling full. ...
  • Unsweetened teas. ...
  • Black coffee. ...
  • Do your best to avoid these drinks. ...
  • Balancing blood sugar is important for everyone.

What's next if metformin doesn't work?

In other cases, it may work for a while and then become less effective at managing high blood sugar levels. If metformin stops working, a medical provider may add another diabetes medication to provide more support, or they may prescribe a different medicine.

How can I reverse diabetes without metformin?

Making positive lifestyle changes such as eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly and getting down to a healthy weight (and maintaining it) are the key to possibly reversing or managing type 2 diabetes.

What is the most serious side effect of metformin?

Under certain conditions, too much metformin can cause lactic acidosis. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are severe and quick to appear, and usually occur when other health problems not related to the medicine are present and are very severe, such as a heart attack or kidney failure.

How to get rid of type 2 diabetes naturally without medication?

You can treat type 2 diabetes without medication by focusing on:
  1. Eating a healthy, balanced diet.
  2. Losing weight to achieve a BMI in the healthy range.
  3. Living an active life.
  4. Regularly monitoring your blood glucose levels.

Is cinnamon better than metformin?

HOMA-IR, an indicator of insulin resistance, was also significantly decreased by metformin and cinnamon intake. Moreover, no difference was seen in the ability of cinnamon and metformin in reducing HOMA-IR. As a result, cinnamon seems to be as effective as metformin in increasing the Insulin sensitivity.

How can I survive diabetes without medication?

Controlling type 2 diabetes without medication means keeping track of your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol under the supervision of your diabetes care provider. You will also need to follow a diabetes meal plan, get to and maintain a healthy weight, and make physical activity part of your daily routine.

What is the safest 1st line of treatment for type 2 diabetes?

Metformin is used as first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes because it works to keep blood sugar levels controlled, and it is also safe and well-tolerated.

What is the least bad type of diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is often a milder form of diabetes than type 1. Nevertheless, type 2 diabetes can still cause major health complications, particularly to the eyes, nerves and kidneys (similar to type 1). Also, like type 1, type 2 diabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.

What is the new type I diabetes treatment?

Tzield (teplizumab), approved by the Food and Drug Administration in November, targets and binds to CD3 markers on the surface of T cells that turn rogue in the disease process, attacking healthy beta cells during type 1 diabetes development.

Can you be on metformin for life?

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) also recommends metformin for some people with prediabetes. Generally, if you're prescribed metformin, you'll be on it long term. That could be many decades, unless you experience complications or changes to your health that require you to stop taking it.

Is metformin bad for your kidneys?

Metformin is often a first-choice treatment for Type 2 diabetes. It's not known to be harmful to your kidneys or other organs. But if you have kidney problems, there's a greater risk of a serious condition called lactic acidosis. Your healthcare provider should watch your kidney function while you're taking metformin.

What is the downfall of taking metformin?

Taking metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency if you take it for a long time. This can make you feel very tired, breathless and faint, so your doctor may check the vitamin B12 level in your blood. If your vitamin B12 levels become too low, vitamin B12 supplements will help.