Diabetes Management
This category covers oral medicines that lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. They work in different ways and are often combined, alongside diet, activity and regular monitoring. The choice between classes depends on kidney and heart health, hypoglycaemia risk and how well previous treatment has worked.

Glucophage
500 · 850 · 1000mg
Metformin 500mg, 850mg and 1000mg tablets, film-coated and prolonged-release, used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A biguanide.

Glucovance
400/2.50 · 500/5mg
Metformin with glibenclamide as a film-coated tablet, used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A biguanide paired with a sulfonylurea.

Glucophage SR
500mg
Glucophage SR is metformin 500mg in a prolonged-release tablet for type 2 diabetes mellitus, releasing the biguanide slowly across the day.

Glucophage XR
1000mg
Glucophage XR is metformin at the 1000mg prolonged-release strength for type 2 diabetes mellitus, cutting glucose output from the liver.

Kombiglyze XR
5/500 · 5/1000mg
Kombiglyze XR pairs saxagliptin with metformin in a prolonged-release tablet for type 2 diabetes mellitus, a DPP-4 inhibitor alongside a biguanide.

Glucotrol XL
5 · 10mg
Glucotrol XL is glipizide 5mg and 10mg in a prolonged-release tablet for type 2 diabetes mellitus. A second-generation sulfonylurea.

Jentadueto
2.5/500mg
Linagliptin with metformin as a film-coated tablet, used in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A DPP-4 inhibitor paired with a biguanide.
Key points
- Metformin is usually the first tablet, with other classes added or substituted as control or tolerance requires.
- The classes lower glucose by different mechanisms, so two products here are not interchangeable.
- They differ in low-blood-sugar risk and in effects beyond glucose, including weight, heart and kidney outcomes.
Classes and ingredients in this category
- Metformin (metformin) is the usual first-line tablet.
- Sulfonylureas such as glipizide and glibenclamide prompt insulin release.
- Newer agents like sitagliptin and linagliptin improve control with a lower risk of low blood sugar.
Conditions it covers
These medicines are used for type 2 diabetes mellitus and related metabolic problems. Other conditions often matter as much as the glucose reading when a class is chosen, so prescribing is individual.
Further reading
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