Many people with Type 2 diabetes take tablets to lower their blood glucose levels. They are not the same as insulin. Insulin cannot be taken in tablet form because it would be broken down in the stomach before it could work. Different tablets work in different ways to lower blood glucose levels.
Side effects (Side effects)
All medicines can have side effects and these are listed in the following pages.
You may or may not experience any of these. However, if you do, speak to your doctor as there may be another medication which could be used instead.
If you think a medicine has caused a side effect, or even if you are unsure, you can report the problem to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on a ‘yellow card’.
Yellow card forms are available from pharmacies and other outlets across the NHS.
The information about blood glucose lowering medication on this website is for general use only. If you have any questions, concerns about individual health matters or the treatment of your diabetes, please consult your diabetes care team.
Your pharmacist may offer you a free 'Medicine Use Review' to discuss what medications you are taking, what they do, how well they work for you and how to get the most out of them.
Next review date September 2009