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There are multiple options for treating diabetes that can help control blood sugar levels.
Each medication achieves it in a different way. Below, you can see what those medications are and the effect they have on your body.
Group
Medication**
How does it reduce sugar levels
Biguanidas
Metformin
It reduces the production of sugar by the liver.
Meglitinides
Repaglinide
Nateglinide
Hace que el páncreas produzca más insulina y ayuda a su cuerpo a utilizar la que se produce
Sulfonylureas
Glibenclamide
Glipizide
Gliclazide
Glimepiride
It makes the pancreas produce more insulin and helps your body use the insulin produced.
DPP-4 Inhibitors
Sitagliptin
Vildagliptin
Saxagliptin
Linagliptin
Alogliptin
They increase insulin release and reduce sugar release from the liver after meals.
SGLT-2 Inhibitors
Canagliflozin
Dapagliflozin
Empagliflozin
Ertugliflozin
It blocks the reabsorption of glucose by the kidney, causing glucose to be eliminated in the urine.
GLP-1 Analogs
Exenatide
Lixisenatide
They increase insulin release and decrease sugar release from the liver after meals.
Thiazolidinediones
Pioglitazone
Rosiglitazone
They reduce insulin resistance and make the body’s tissues more sensitive to the effects of insulin.
Adapted from (Davies, et al., 2018)
**Not all medications may be available in your country. Consult with a healthcare professional.**
If your body stops producing insulin, your doctor will recommend insulin therapy. You should be aware that4:
•There are different types of insulin depending on how quickly they work, when they peak in their effectiveness, and how long their effects last.
• insulin is available in different strengths.
• There are insulins that help you control your glucose levels before meals or throughout the day.
CC-10758 / OCT 2025
4. American Diabetes Association. (2019). American Diabetes Association. Retrieved from https://www.www.diabetes.org