Insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes may have interactions with other medications. The biggest problem of insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes arises from concurrent use of insulin with other blood sugar lowering medications. This could lead to a large drop in blood sugar. Blood sugar that is too low is far more dangerous than high blood sugar. Alcohol has been known to both increase and decrease the blood sugar lowering effect of insulin, so it is advised to use extreme caution when consuming alcohol with insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
There is no known cure for type 2 diabetes. However, if you manage your condition effectively, you can expect a long, healthy life. Type 2 diabetes is treated with a combination of diet, exercise, and regular blood glucose, or blood sugar, testing.
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Dr. Daniel R. Spogen, MD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine -
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Sigma Nursing answeredSee All 4 AnswersThere is no known cure for type 2 diabetes. However, you can significantly lower the risk for type 2 diabetes and even prevent this condition with lifestyle changes such as proper diet and regular exercise. Some drugs may also help lower your risk of developing diabetes. Research studies and clinical trials are underway to help determine the causes of type 2 diabetes and how this condition can be prevented.
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American Diabetes Association answeredSee All 5 AnswersNot everyone with type 2 diabetes will be helped by oral diabetes medications. Oral medications are more likely to lower blood glucose levels in people who have had high blood glucose levels for less than 10 years, who are using a healthy meal plan, and who have some insulin secretion by their pancreas. The drugs work poorly in people who are very thin.
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American Diabetes Association answeredSee All 2 Answers
The following are some weight loss recommendations if you have type 2 diabetes:
- Begin a weight loss program with the help of your healthcare team.
- Ask for a referral to a dietitian who can help you find a diet you can use every day.
- Don't try to do everything at once. Take one step at a time and make changes you can stick with.
- Adding an extra workout a week may be enough to counteract the fact that you’re not losing as much glucose in your urine anymore.
If diet and exercise are not enough to reduce your weight, your healthcare provider may prescribe medications that can help.
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American Diabetes Association answeredSee All 6 Answers
Whether you should take oral medication, insulin, or any medication at all and what sort of insulin or medication plan you need depends on how your body is dealing with the glucose it makes. Your treatment plan is based on your usual blood glucose levels. Ideally, you will want to keep your glucose levels as close to normal as possible. ADA’s general targets for blood glucose levels are 70–130 mg/dl range before meals and less than 180 mg/dl 2 hours after meals. Talk to your provider about setting your own blood glucose targets.
Your treatment plan is based on your usual blood glucose levels. Ideally, you will want to keep your levels as close to normal as possible.
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Dr. Daniel R. Spogen, MD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine
Insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes involves injecting (usually with a very small needle just under the skin) either a harvested or manufactured insulin hormone which is responsible for assisting the body to uptake and utilize sugar from the blood. Typically insulin therapy for people with type 2 diabetes is reserved for those who are not able to control their blood sugar with other types of medications.
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Dr. Athena Philis-Tsimikas, MD , Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, answered on behalf of Scripps HealthSee All 2 Answers
If you have type 2 diabetes, medications may be part of your treatment plan. In this video, endocrinologist Athena Philis-Tsimikas, MD, of Scripps Health, describes some of the diabetes drug options, from insulin to appetite suppressants. -
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Dr. Jack Merendino, MD , Endocrinology Diabetes & Metabolism, answeredThe short answer to this question is no, but it deserves an explanation. First of all, and unfortunately, there is a severe shortage of endocrinologists in many parts of the country, so even if I thought the right answer was yes, it wouldn’t be a practical answer for everyone. But the right answer for this, and for most medical problems, is that you need a good working relationship with a primary physician who is interested in you as a person and your concerns, keeps as up-to-date as can be expected to knowing how much there is to know, communicates well and knows his or her limits. I know of family practitioners, nurse practitioners and general internists who render great diabetes care, and I know some endocrinologists who I don’t think do such a good job.
It’s important to be your own healthcare advocate. Start by being prepared when you go in for your visits. This means having your blood tests done in advance of your visit so that you can discuss the results at the time of the appointment, brining an up-to-date list of all your medications, and bringing well-organized blood sugar readings with you. These steps will go a long way to ensuring that you get good care.
If you’re not having success despite good care from your primary physician and a good effort on your part, ask to see an endocrinologist your doctor trusts. -
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Type 2 diabetes drugs that have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes at high risk include empagliflozin and liraglutide. The results of a trial of the type 2 diabetes drugs empagliflozin and liraglutide unexpectedly demonstrated beneficial cardiovascular effects in people with type 2 diabetes who had high pre-existing cardiovascular risk.
The importance of these findings is that specific glucose-lowering therapies have been found to reduce cardiovascular disease in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes.