How to Find the Best Medication for Type 2 Diabetes for Less

Category: Drug Information

Author

Posted on May 4, 2022

Scott is passionate about health and wellness, and enjoys writing on various topic surrounding these fields. Scott lives in Seattle and spends his free time restoring old furniture and playing pickleball with his friends.



best medication for type 2 diabetes

Did you know that the annual cost of diabetes in the United States is over $16,000? Compared to people without diabetes, it is nearly 2.5 times costlier!

Finding the best medication for type 2 diabetes can help lower long-term costs and help improve your health and wellness. Yet, you may have run into snags with high medication costs in the U.S. Combination medications often don't have a generic version, which can drive prices even higher and force you to choose between medication refills or other necessities such as food and utilities.

Luckily, we have put together a complete guide on diabetes medication, the best ones on the market, and how you can start saving money today. Keep reading for more information!

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when your body stops utilizing insulin in your blood. Insulin helps carry sugar out of your bloodstream, keeping your blood glucose levels within normal limits. When you become resistant to insulin, sugar builds up in the bloodstream and can lead to several complications, such as:

  • Heart disease
  • Stroke
  • Vision loss
  • Infections
  • Dementia

Most causes of type 2 diabetes include genetics and lifestyle factors. Obesity, diet, and exercise all play critical roles in the onset and progression of type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Like type 1 diabetes, many diabetes medications aim to lower blood sugar levels. This is the gold standard of treatment for both types of diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes also play a crucial role. Things like improving your diet and exercising more can help you lose excess weight that may be contributing. 

That doesn't always do the trick, and many physicians turn to forms of diabetes medicine to help, such as:

  • Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
  • Biguanides
  • DPP-4 inhibitors
  • Glucagon-like peptides
  • Thiazolidinediones

Many of these drug classifications break down sugars, reduce glucose, or change how your body produces insulin. 

Best Medication for Type 2 Diabetes

Most medication for type 2 diabetes comes in an oral form. In conjunction, many people with this diagnosis may also need to take insulin injections. 

Metformin is a type of biguanides and works at decreasing the amount of sugar your liver produces. It also reduces intestinal sugar absorption, which helps the body become more sensitive to insulin. There are many other drugs that include metformin, such as:

  • Kazano
  • Invokamet
  • Glucovance

Sulfonylureas are another medication type that has primarily been used in the diabetic field for years. Its physiological makeup helps your body make more insulin. Some of the more common sulfonylureas include:

  • Amaryl
  • Glucotrol
  • Diabinese

Alpha-glucose inhibitors help the body's natural function of breaking down sugars and starches. Usually, these medications are taken before meals and include:

  • Precose
  • Glyset

DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists are also popular medications for type 2 diabetes. So how can you determine which one is the best for you?

Finding the Right Diabetes Medication for You

The ideal diabetes medication for you depends on a few factors, such as:

  • Cost
  • Effectiveness
  • Comorbidities
  • Medication use

Your physician will perform a thorough assessment and ensure you aren't at risk for other illnesses. Some diabetes medications may not work with other prescribed medicines. Your physician may also recommend newer type 2 diabetes medications, which are usually more expensive. However, they may be more effective for you, and saving money on brand-name medications is easier than you might suspect (more on that later). 

Many of these newer medications are combination drugs, such as:

  • Xigduo XR
  • Synjardy
  • Glyxambi
  • Steglujan

Most of these medications combine two or more common drugs on the market. For example, Xigudo XR is an extended-release medication that includes metformin and dapagliflozin. While metformin helps improve insulin sensitivity, dapagliflozin blocks the reuptake of insulin from your kidneys to your blood. 

The cost may be a deterrent in finding the best medications for you. For example, Glucophage includes metformin. Glucophage prices are fairly cost-friendly and range below $1 per unit in the United States and Canada.

This drug has been around for decades, which helps keep the prices lower. On the flip side, Xigduo XR does not have a generic available in the United States. However, it is an expensive medication that can quickly increase in price to hundreds of dollars. 

Cost-Friendly Diabetes Medication

Newer diabetes medications cost more because of patents and limited price caps in the United States. Most diabetes patients also need insulin, such as Lantis. During the past ten years, insulin prices in the U.S. have tripled.

Insulin vials fluctuated from $50 to $1,000 earlier this year, while pens ranged from $45 to $600. Saving money on diabetes medication has never been more important. There are a few ways to save money on medication, such as:

  • Talk to your doctor about cheaper medications
  • Use insurance
  • Use coupons or discounts
  • Talk to your insurance company about options

Another option is choosing an online Canadian pharmacy. There are a few benefits to going through this route:

  • Affordable prices
  • Quality medications
  • Easy deliveries

Medications like Xiguado XR are priced under $2 per unit through PricePro Pharmacy, saving you hundreds on each of your prescriptions or thousands in annual expenses. It also allows you to use newer medications (as advised by your doctor) and avoid sacrificing your health. 

Managing Your Type 2 Diabetes

Managing symptoms and complications starts with finding the best medication for type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects millions of people in North America. 

It can cause lasting damage, long-term health costs, and reduced quality of life. While insulin helps, many physicians also suggest oral diabetes medication. 

To find cost-friendly medication, you need the professionals at PricePro Pharmacy. Check out our diabetes medication to find one that is affordable and fits your needs!

Works Cited

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/how-type2-affects-workforce.htm#:~:text=Diabetes%20Is%20Costly&text=The%20majority%20of%20expenses%20are,of%20a%20person%20without%20diabetes.

https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes#symptoms

https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/diabetes-new-drugs

https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/medications-list

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/categories/diabetes/

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/product/glucophage/

https://www.pricepropharmacy.com/product/xigduo-xr/

https://www.verywellhealth.com/insulin-prices-how-much-does-insulin-cost-and-why-5081872

Sign up to receive exclusive discounts & offers, medication updates, & health news delivered to your inbox.