Not all people with diabetes need medication - oral agents (pills) and/or insulin - to live a life without limits. If you do, help manage your diabetes by using all medications safely and effectively. Follow the schedule you have discussed with your healthcare team. Consistent dosages help you control blood glucose levels, so keep records of your dosages to help spot trends and make adjustments in your care routine. And prevent drug interactions by asking your doctor or pharmacist how various combinations of medicines will affect your health.

Oral Medication
In Type 2 diabetes, a medicine called an oral hypoglycemic agent may be used to lower blood glucose. Oral hypoglycemic agents help the pancreas produce more insulin and/or make the body's cells more sensitive to its own insulin. Oral hypoglycemic agents are not insulin.

Insulin
Insulin is a hormone the body needs to convert sugar, starches and other food into the energy necessary for daily living. There are various insulins and schedules that can be used. It is important that people who take insulin understand how insulin works, what factors affect its action and what schedule will work best for them.