Introduction
Medications to treat type 2 diabetes improve glucose levels by:
The medications are grouped together in “classes” and they can work well together. As you go along, your medication combinations may need to change, depending on your glucose levels and whether you have side effects.
Diabetes tablets
Injections that aren’t insulin (GLP-1 agonists)
They can combine well with insulin and may reduce the dose of insulin that you need.
Blood pressure medications
Aim to maintain blood pressure under 130/80 to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and nephropathy. This is a more effective strategy for cardioprotection than glucose lowering.
While antihypertensives are equally efficacious, the following order of medication is a guide to adding antihypertensive medications when combinations are required for your patient with diabetes:
Antihypertensives are more effective when given at night, and less likely to cause postural hypotension during the day.
Aim to lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides as much as possible to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and nephropathy. This is a more effective strategy for cardio protection than glucose lowering.
