Written by people living with diabetes. Medically reviewed where it counts.
Diabetes
Managing diabetes often includes medication, but understanding your options is just as important as taking them correctly.
Diabetes medications are used to help regulate blood sugar levels when lifestyle measures alone are not sufficient. Treatment choices vary based on diabetes type, individual health factors, and how the body responds over time.
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News
As someone living with Type 1 diabetes, I write this to help others in our community understand what’s changing—and what it means for daily life. People living with diabetes using certain MiniMed insulin pumps are being urged to take a simple precaution following a recent safety notice from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Ely Fornoville 1 min read
Diabetes
Baqsimi nasal spray is a life-saving treatment for severe hypoglycemia, delivering a 3 mg glucagon dose through the nose without an injection. It works within about 15 minutes and is designed for quick use by caregivers during emergencies. Understanding proper usage before an emergency happens is crucial for you and your caregivers.
Ely Fornoville 8 min read
Medication
When someone with diabetes experiences dangerously low blood sugar and can’t eat or drink, a glucagon emergency kit becomes a life-saving tool that can prevent unconsciousness, seizures, or worse outcomes. Many people feel overwhelmed by the idea of giving an emergency injection, but glucagon kits are designed for non-medical caregivers to use during critical situations.
Ely Fornoville 8 min read
Everything else in Medication, newest first.
Medication
Managing insulin levels is almost like a rollercoaster ride. At times—they are lower than your expectations, and the next moment—the spike surprises you. Relatable? If yes – then keep scrolling. Let’s unveil the secrets to efficient inulin management. What’s Insulin One-line answer: Insulin is a hormone that comes from your pancreas.
Ely Fornoville 5 min read
Medication
Insulin pumps bring welcome relief to people living with diabetes who are tired of constant injections. They closely imitate the functions of the pancreas, releasing insulin in response to changes in blood sugar. Omnipod and t:slim are two of the biggest names in diabetes management.
Ely Fornoville 7 min read
Medication
Zepbound can support long-term weight loss—but only when used safely and with full awareness of potential side effects. Approved by the FDA in 2023, this prescription drug uses tirzepatide to regulate appetite and blood sugar. While effective, Zepbound can cause side effects ranging from mild digestive issues to rare risks like pancreatitis or thyroid tumors.
Ely Fornoville 12 min read
Medication
For people with diabetes, managing weight is vital for keeping blood sugar levels in check and staying healthy. That’s where Zepbound comes in – it’s a new medication that is changing the game when it comes to helping people with diabetes manage their weight.
Ely Fornoville 9 min read
Medication
Zepbound is a new weight loss medication designed for people, especially those with diabetes, to help them control their weight effectively. Managing weight is crucial for diabetes care as it directly affects blood sugar levels and overall health.
Ely Fornoville 13 min read
Medication
The last decade has seen the introduction of many diabetes medications with weight loss effects. A good example is Mounjaro, which contains tirzepatide as its active ingredient. Mounjaro’s weight loss efficacy prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve tirzepatide for weight management under another brand name: Zepbound.
Ely Fornoville 5 min read
Medication
Wegovy (Semaglutide) has been the go-to weight loss medication since its introduction in June 2021. Still, with the approval of Tirzepatide for weight loss under the brand name Zepbound on November 8, 2023, questions have been asked about which is more effective between Zepbound and Wegovy.
Ely Fornoville 7 min read
Medication
Rybelsus is a brand-name prescription medication. Its active ingredient is semaglutide. It belongs to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist class and comes as an oral tablet. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Ely Fornoville 10 min read
Medication
Rybelsus is a prescription medication for adults with type 2 diabetes. It is in pill form and must be taken once a day on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before the day’s first meal.
Ely Fornoville 7 min read
Community stories, not case studies.
I’m a 30-year-old single mom of three amazing kids—twin boys who are 8 and a little girl who’s 3. My journey with diabetes began in a very sudden and frightening way. I was found unresponsive on my couch by my best friend and rushed to the hospital by ambulance.
Living with diabetes for 1 year
I’m an entrepreneur working on new social inventions to support the diabetes community. Living with diabetes myself for many years has shaped not only who I am, but also the projects I’ve chosen to dedicate my time to. I was diagnosed at the age of 13, so yes, I essentially grew up with it.
Living with diabetes for 13 years
I’m a multi-award winner, keynote & motivational speaker, Invictus Games gold medalist, British Army veteran, community champion, and proud Type 1 diabetic. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in May 2023 at the age of 41, after a sudden and severe episode of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Living with diabetes for 2 years
Hey everyone! My name is Victor Rivera. I’m currently living in Texas, USA. I’ve been living with Type 1 diabetes for 36 years. I run my own coffee shop and spend my free time flying as a hobby pilot.
Living with diabetes for 36 years
Diabetes medications work in different ways depending on your body, diabetes type, and treatment goals.
Insulin therapy is essential for people with type 1 diabetes and may also be used in type 2 diabetes when other treatments are not sufficient. Different insulin types vary in how quickly they act and how long they last.
Oral medications help lower blood sugar primarily in people with type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity or reducing glucose production in the liver.
Common categories include:
Some diabetes medications are injected but are not insulin, including GLP-1 receptor agonists.
These medications may help with:
All medications can cause side effects, and understanding them helps you use treatment safely.
Common considerations include:
In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help delay or prevent progression from prediabete to type 2 diabetes.
This is typically combined with:
Before starting or changing medication, consider discussing:
Empowered patients tend to achieve better long-term outcomes.