Actoplus met
Metformin, Pioglitazone
500/15mg
Actoplus met is a diabetes medication containing Metformin + Pioglitazone, available as 500/15mg tablets.
from
$1.14
/ tablet
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Type 2 Diabetes
24 medicines
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin, raising blood sugar and the risk of serious organ damage over time.
Glucophage
Metformin
500/850/1000mg
Glucophage is a diabetes medication containing Metformin, available as 500/850/1000mg tablets.
from
$0.25
/ tablet
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Glucophage SR
Metformin
500mg
Glucophage SR is a diabetes medication containing Metformin, available as 500mg tablets.
from
$0.74
/ tablet
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Glucophage Xr
Metformin
1000mg
Glucophage Xr is a diabetes medication containing Metformin, available as 1000mg tablets.
from
$1.36
/ tablet
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Glucotrol Xl
Glipizide
5/10mg
Glucotrol Xl is a diabetes medication containing Glipizide, available as 5/10mg tablets.
from
$0.40
/ tablet
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Glucovance
Metformin, Glibenclamide
400/2.50/500/5mg
Glucovance is a diabetes medication containing Metformin + Glibenclamide, available as 400/2.50/500/5mg tablets.
from
$0.44
/ tablet
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Jentadueto
Linagliptin, Metformin
2.5/500mg
Jentadueto is a diabetes medication containing Linagliptin + Metformin, available as 2.5/500mg tablets.
from
$1.53
/ tablet
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Kombiglyze XR
Saxagliptin, Metformin
5/500/5/1000mg
Kombiglyze XR is a diabetes medication containing Saxagliptin + Metformin, available as 5/500/5/1000mg tablets.
from
$4.84
/ tablet
View
Key facts
- Type 2 diabetes develops when cells stop responding properly to insulin, leaving blood sugar chronically elevated.
- It builds silently for years and is often found through fatigue, frequent urination, slow-healing cuts, or a routine blood test.
- Lifestyle change is the foundation of treatment; when more control is needed, metformin is usually the first medicine added.
- Sustained high blood sugar damages small blood vessels, so uncontrolled diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure, sight loss, nerve pain, and heart disease.
What drives blood sugar out of range
Insulin resistance is the core problem: the pancreas keeps producing insulin, but muscle and fat cells respond to it poorly, so the liver keeps releasing glucose into the blood. Excess body weight, physical inactivity, and a diet heavy in refined carbohydrates all amplify the resistance. Genetics matters too: having a parent or sibling with the condition roughly doubles lifetime risk. Some people develop diabetes-range blood sugar at a lower body weight than others, so screening matters even for those who appear a healthy weight. Over time the pancreas tires and insulin output falls, pushing blood sugar higher still.
Medicines used in type 2 diabetes
Lifestyle changes, cutting refined carbohydrates, building daily activity, losing weight where needed, remain the foundation and can be strikingly effective in early disease. When blood sugar needs further control, metformin is typically the first medicine added; it lowers liver glucose output and is well tolerated by most people. Sulphonylureas such as glipizide and glibenclamide stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin. DPP-4 inhibitors like sitagliptin and linagliptin work with the body's own hormones to smooth out post-meal spikes, while pioglitazone reduces tissue resistance directly. The full range of options is listed under diabetes. Some medicines used here also support weight loss, which itself improves blood sugar control.
Protecting organs for the long run
Sustained high blood sugar damages small blood vessels throughout the body, which is why uncontrolled type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure, sight loss, nerve pain, and heart disease. Good control, keeping HbA1c close to the target agreed with your doctor, cuts these risks substantially. Symptoms that warrant prompt attention include chest pain, sudden vision change, or numbness or pain spreading into the feet.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.
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