If you’ve been diagnosed with any type of diabetes, your doctor may recommend taking medication to help manage your blood glucose. In addition to healthy dietary changes and physical activity, medication can help you safely manage your blood sugar levels.
Each type of diabetes requires a different approach to choosing medications. Read more about the most common type of diabetes here.
How to treat type 2 diabetes with medications?
Many diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may need additional medications to achieve their ideal glucose and A1c results.
Categories of glucose-lowering medications include Sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists, and multiple types of insulin. Each medication class has a different mechanism of action and can even complement each other for optimal results. Many are quite expensive, but it is vital to manage blood sugars to prevent long-term damage to other parts of the body.
9amHealth offers low-cost FDA-approved medications. You can contact our care team to learn more about your options.
Monitor your blood glucose levels
In addition to medications, the best way to monitor your diabetes is to check your blood sugars regularly. You can check blood sugars by either checking fingersticks with a glucose meter or by wearing a continuous glucose monitor. Ideally, your fasting blood sugars (first thing in the morning after a full night’s sleep) are between 80-99 mg/dL. If you check your blood sugar throughout the day, it should be less than 140 mg/dL two hours after eating. Lastly, doctors will order an A1c blood test every three to six months to monitor blood sugars overall. Blood glucose meter and test strips are available to 9amHealth members.
Are there medications to treat prediabetes?
Many people diagnosed with prediabetes start a medication called Metformin to help manage blood sugars and prevent diabetes. Metformin is an affordable, effective and safe medication that helps decrease the amount of glucose released by the liver while increasing insulin sensitivity in the body. Together this helps lower blood sugar and consequently the A1c. Metformin is usually started at a low dose once per day and adjusted to a higher dose over time. A notable benefit of Metformin is that it does not lower blood sugars excessively or cause hypoglycemia (blood sugar <70 mg/dL).
The side effects of Metformin
Some people experience side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and upset stomach, but these usually resolve within the first few weeks of taking the medication. Additionally, an extended-release (ER) form of Metformin can help reduce those undesirable digestive side effects.
How do 9amHealth prescriptions work?
9amHealth is here to support you with compassionate diabetes care, all from one source. Our online prescriptions provide regularly scheduled deliveries of medications, test strips, and at-home tests. You never have to worry about running low on supplies again!
Simply fill in our quick medical questionnaire so we can learn more about your health history, and we’ll set you up with our care team immediately.
We help you to manage your diabetes so you can do more
Managing blood sugars is critical to staying healthy with diabetes. People often feel their best when maintaining their blood sugars within a healthy range. Proactively take charge of your diabetes by being an active participant in your diabetes care: check your blood sugar regularly, discuss the side effects of medications with your healthcare provider and be candid about any challenges with your prescriptions (cost, confusion about how to take them, difficulty taking them due to your schedule or lack of health plan coverage).
9amHealth is here to help you feel your best and manage your diabetes with ease, don’t wait another day to take better care of your diabetes! Get started today!
