If eating healthy foods, being active and managing weight are not enough to help lower your blood glucose, you may need to start diabetes medicine.
When you have diabetes, your blood glucose levels can change. Your doctor or nurse will discuss with you if you need to make any changes to your medicines or other treatments.
Getting the right medicine for you
There are many types of type 2 diabetes medicines that help lower the amount of glucose in your blood. Type 2 diabetes medicines include tablets, insulin and other injectables.
It can take time to find a medicine and dose that's right for you. Your doctor or nurse will support you with this. Over time you may need a combination of medicines to help keep blood glucose at a healthy level.
Insulin for type 2 diabetes
For some people, lifestyle changes and tablets may not be enough to treat their type 2 diabetes. Your doctor or diabetes team will discuss with you whether you need to add insulin treatment.
Insulin can be given easily using a tiny needle inside a pen-like gadget.
Your doctor and nurse will support you if you need to use insulin treatment.
Important
Eating healthily, being active and being a healthy weight are still important parts of treating your diabetes, even if you are taking medicine to help reduce your blood glucose.
Taking your medicine
Your doctor or nurse will explain how to take your medicine and how to store it. You can also get information and advice from your local pharmacist.
Keep a list of all the medicines and supplements you take. Bring your medicine list to your diabetes check ups for review.
Important
Take your medicine as prescribed. Do not stop taking medicine without getting advice from your doctor or nurse first.
Side effects of diabetes medicine
Sometimes diabetes medicine can cause side effects.
Read the medicines leaflet for the list of side effects. You can also get some information from your pharmacist.
Non-urgent advice: Speak to your doctor or nurse if you:
- feel unwell after taking medicine
- notice any side effects
Hypoglycaemia (hypos)
Taking some diabetes medicines, such as insulin or certain tablets can put you at risk of low blood glucose. This is known as 'hypoglycaemia' or 'hypo'.
It can be dangerous when your blood glucose level is too low (below 4). Always check with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or diabetes team if your medicine puts you at risk of a hypo. They will advise you how to be prepared to manage and treat a hypo.
Diabetes medicine and fasting
Tell your doctor or diabetes team if fasting is part of your lifestyle, for example for religious reasons.
There is a risk that your blood glucose levels could become too low (a hypo) from fasting if you treat your diabetes with insulin or certain tablets.
Anyone who is putting their health at serious risk by fasting usually doesn't have to take part. For example, if you treat your diabetes with insulin or have diabetes complications such as damage to your eyes, kidneys or nerves in your hands and feet.
Speak to your doctor or diabetes team for advice if you aren't sure if you should fast, and your spiritual leader for guidance.
Free prescriptions for diabetes medicine
Anyone with type 2 diabetes can get a long-term illness card through the Long-Term Illness Scheme.
You'll be able to get diabetes prescription medicines and some appliances free of charge.
Also covered on the scheme are:
- some medicines that affect diabetes management such as medicines to treat high cholesterol or blood pressure
- insulin pens or syringes
- blood glucose testing strips and lancets (meters are not included)
- some hypo treatments - if your hypo treatment is prescribed by your doctor it may be available under the scheme
Check with your pharmacy what is currently available under the Long-Term Illness Scheme.
There is no means test for the Long-Term Illness Scheme. This means you will not be asked details about your income.
Apply for the Long-Term Illness Scheme
Travelling with type 2 diabetes medicines
If you're travelling:
- make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for free healthcare in all countries in the EU and Switzerland
- pack extra medicine and supplies - speak to your doctor or nurse about how much to bring
- if you're flying with a medicine you inject, get a letter from your doctor that says you need it to treat diabetes
- bring a letter from your doctor stating you have diabetes and a list of medicines and other equipment that you need, for example blood glucose meter and needles
- carry your medicine in your hand luggage just in case checked-in bags go missing or get damaged
- bring more medicine than you need in case your flights are delayed or your trip is extended
- check that your travel insurance covers you before you go
- carry identification stating you have diabetes especially if you are taking medicine which may increase your risk of low blood glucose (hypos)
- carry hypo treatment if taking medicine that increases your risk of low blood glucose (hypos)
- bring a prescription with generic names of your medicines in case you need more or need to visit a doctor while travelling
Blood glucose testing
Some medicines (insulin or certain tablets) have a risk of causing low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia). If you are taking these medicines as part of your diabetes treatment you will be advised to check your blood glucose. This is especially important if you drive.
This can be done using:
- a blood glucose monitor or meter
- finger lancets
- test strips for blood glucose
Finger lancets and test strips are available on the Long-Term Illness Scheme.
Your doctor or nurse will advise you on:
- how often to test your blood glucose levels
- when to test your blood glucose
- how to understand and make sense of the blood glucose reading you get
- the blood glucose levels to aim for at different times of the day - for example, when fasting (first thing in the morning before eating) or before meals or 1 to 2 hours after meals
- how to use your meter, lancets and test strips correctly and how to dispose of used lancets safely
- your responsibility to test your blood glucose when you drive, as advised by the Road Safety Authority of Ireland
Blood glucose testing gives you a reading of your blood glucose level at that moment in time. It is a different blood glucose test to the HbA1c, which your doctor does.
Blood glucose is usually recommended to be between 4 to 7mmol/l fasting and less than 10mmol/l 1 to 2 hours after a meal. Your diabetes team may discuss specific targets for you.
HbA1c testing
The HbA1c is a blood test that checks average blood glucose over the last 2 to 3 months.
People with type 2 diabetes are recommended to have a HbA1c test with their doctor at least twice a year.
