Tag: Diabetes treatment

Metformin is one of the most widely used medications globally for treating type 2 diabetes, but its effectiveness often decreases over time. If you notice signs that your blood sugar is no longer controlled, it may mean that the initial treatment plan needs adjustment, signaling what happens when metformin doesn't work anymore.

While metformin is highly effective at first, research suggests its long-term monotherapy effect on A1c can start to wane after several years for some individuals. Understanding whether this occurs because the drug itself fails or due to other factors is crucial for managing Type 2 diabetes effectively.

As of August 2025, the standard list price for a 28-day supply of Ozempic is around $997.58, but the manufacturer has introduced a self-pay option of $499 per month for eligible uninsured patients. Understanding these costs and available assistance programs is crucial for those asking: 'How much is Ozempic without insurance?'.

While metformin is a highly effective and widely used medication for type 2 diabetes, the risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) is a rare but serious adverse event, with an incidence of about 5 cases per 100,000 in one analysis. This condition is primarily caused by a dual mechanism involving increased lactate production and reduced lactate clearance, especially when metformin accumulates in the body.

For decades, metformin has been the standard initial pharmacologic therapy for type 2 diabetes. However, recent guidelines emphasize a patient-centered approach, asking the key question: What is the first drug of choice for type 2 diabetes?, as newer drug classes may offer greater benefits for certain patients.

Despite both being used to treat type 2 diabetes and belonging to the same drug class, Onglyza (saxagliptin) and Januvia (sitagliptin) are not the same medication. These two DPP-4 inhibitors share a similar goal of controlling blood sugar but differ significantly in their active ingredients, potency, and safety profiles.

Farxiga (dapagliflozin) and Jardiance (empagliflozin) are two highly effective medications that belong to the same class of drugs, known as SGLT2 inhibitors. For this critical reason, it is medically contraindicated to take both Farxiga and Jardiance concurrently, as doing so offers no additional benefit and significantly increases the risk of serious side effects.

Clinical studies show that combining empagliflozin and metformin, the two components of Synjardy, can lead to greater reductions in A1C compared to metformin alone. This combination drug for metformin and Jardiance is an effective option for managing type 2 diabetes when a single medication is not enough.

According to clinical studies, combining a DPP-4 inhibitor with an SGLT2 inhibitor can be more effective for Type 2 diabetes treatment than either drug alone. This combination raises a common question for patients: Can you take Januvia and Jardiance together? For many, this combined approach is a safe and medically recommended strategy for achieving optimal glycemic control.

In some studies, post-prandial hyperglycemia (high blood sugar after meals) was recorded at least once in 84% of patients with otherwise well-controlled type 2 diabetes. For these individuals, knowing **when should meglitinides be administered** is critical for managing these glucose spikes.