Diabetes treatment: Lowering blood sugar

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

• Stimulating the pancreas to produce and release more insulin
• Inhibiting the production and release of glucose from the liver
• Blocking the action of stomach enzymes that break down carbohydrates
• Improving the sensitivity of cells to insulin
• Inhibiting the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys
• Slowing how quickly food moves through the stomach

Each class of medicine has one or more drugs. Some of these drugs are taken orally, while others must be injected.