Diabetes treatment: Lowering blood sugar

Several classes of type 2 diabetes medicines exist. Each class of medicine works in a different way to lower blood sugar. A medication may work by:

• Causing the pancreas to make and release more insulin.
• Limiting the liver's ability to make and release sugar.
• Blocking the action of enzymes in the intestines that break down carbohydrates, slowing how quickly cells take in carbohydrates.
• Improving cells' sensitivity to insulin.
• Limiting the kidneys' ability to take in sugar, which increases the amount of sugar that leaves the body in urine.
• Slowing how quickly food moves through the stomach.

Each class of medicine has one or more medications. Some of these medications are taken by mouth, while others must be taken as a shot.