Diabetes Medications Explained — Metformin, Insulin & GLP-1s
For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider. For adults 18+.
From metformin to insulin to the much-discussed GLP-1 medications, the options can be confusing. This guide explains the main diabetes medications in plain language — what they do and how they fit in.
An educational overview of the main classes of diabetes medication — how each works in simple terms, what they're used for, and why your doctor decides what's right for you. Not a recommendation, and no dosing advice.
What's inside
- →Metformin — the common first step
- →Insulin — types & how it works
- →GLP-1 medications — what they are
- →Other medication classes — a simple overview
- →How your doctor chooses — tailored to you
- →Questions for your doctor — being prepared
For educational purposes only
This guide is educational information about blood sugar and diabetes — it is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it is not a substitute for care from a qualified professional. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, reverse, or prevent any condition. See your doctor or endocrinologist for diagnosis and a treatment plan, check your blood sugar as advised, and never change your insulin or diabetes medication, or your diet, without medical advice — changes can cause dangerously high or low blood sugar. Seek urgent care for signs of DKA (very high blood sugar, fruity breath, vomiting, confusion) or severe low blood sugar (shaking, sweating, confusion, passing out — treat with fast-acting sugar and get help). In a medical emergency, call 911.