Key takeaways
There are various types of drug classes when it comes to diabetes medication, with each lowering blood sugar in a different way.
While clinical charts might explain how drugs work, they often skip over the potential costs; for example, a one-month supply of metformin can be as low as $5 versus almost $1,000 or more for a month of Mounjaro.
Prescribed diabetes medications often have a lower-cost alternative, whether that’s purchasing a generic option or using a prescription discount card like SingleCare to lower costs.
If you search for a diabetes medication chart online, you’ll find many of them, including guideline tables from the American Diabetes Association (ADA), hospital formularies, and medical study guides. These tables are usually accurate, but they’re made for health professionals and students.
With so many treatment options for diabetes, it can be hard for the average person to make sense of them all. Many people focus on whether the medication works for them and how much it’s going to cost. Since patient-friendly charts with drug costs can be hard to come by, we’ve outlined the available diabetes medications that may be prescribed here.
What are the main types of diabetes medications?
Diabetes medications fall into various drug classes that differ in how they work and how they’re taken. Type 1 diabetes always needs insulin, while Type 2 diabetes can be treated with the drug classes below.
Diabetes medications chart |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug class | How it works | Common meds | How it’s taken |
| Biguanides | Lowers the amount of sugar your liver releases and helps your body use its own insulin more effectively | Glucophage (metformin), Fortamet (metformin ER), Glumetza (metformin ER) | Oral tablet, once or twice daily with food |
| Sulfonylureas | Stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin throughout the day | Glucotrol (glipizide), Glucotrol XL (glipizide extended-release), Amaryl (glimepiride), DiaBeta (glyburide) | Oral tablet, once or twice daily |
| DPP-4 inhibitors | Increases the levels of incretin hormones like GIP and GLP-1 that help lower blood sugar | Januvia (sitagliptin), Tradjenta (linagliptin), Onglyza (saxagliptin), Nesina (alogliptin), Janumet XR (sitagliptin-metformin), Jentadueto (linagliptin-metformin), Kazano (alogliptin-metformin) | Oral tablet, usually once daily |
| SGLT2 inhibitors | Helps the body get rid of extra sugar through the kidneys and urine | Jardiance (empagliflozin), Farxiga (dapagliflozin), Invokana (canagliflozin), Steglatro (ertugliflozin), Synjardy (empagliflozin-metformin), Invokamet (canagliflozin-metformin) | Oral tablet, once daily |
| GLP-1 receptor agonists | Mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which helps slow digestion, stimulate insulin release after a meal, and control appetite | Ozempic (semaglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), Byetta (exenatide) | Daily or weekly injection under the skin, although semaglutide also comes as a daily tablet |
| Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists | Mimics the GIP and GLP-1 hormones for stronger effects on blood sugar and weight management | Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | Weekly injection under the skin |
| Thiazolidinediones | Increases the body’s responsiveness to insulin and uptake of blood sugar into the muscles | Actos (pioglitazone), Avandia (rosiglitazone) | Oral tablet, usually once daily |
| Meglitinides | Helps promote the quick release of insulin from the pancreas | Prandin (repaglinide), Starlix (nateglinide) | Oral tablet, shortly before a meal |
| Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors | Slows the breakdown of carbohydrates in the gut to prevent blood sugar spikes | Precose (acarbose), Glyset (miglitol) | Oral tablet, taken with the first bite of a meal |
| Insulin | Replaces or supplements the hormone the body needs to use blood sugar for energy | Humalog (insulin lispro), Novolog (insulin aspart), Lantus (insulin glargine), Tresiba (insulin degludec), Afrezza (human insulin) | Injection under the skin, although Afrezza is an inhaled form of insulin |
Pills or injections? Comparing administration options
Most drug classes come as oral tablets. Medications like metformin, sulfonylureas, and SGLT2 inhibitors are essentially small molecules that can survive the digestive tract.
Insulin and most GLP-1 agonists, on the other hand, are proteins or peptides. If swallowed, the stomach acid can break them down before they’re absorbed into the bloodstream. However, this doesn’t happen when they’re injected under the skin.
The Ozempic pill containing semaglutide is the exception, but it’s formulated with SNAC, an absorption enhancer, and needs to be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water and nothing else for 30 minutes afterward. Orforglipron, known by the brand name Foundayo, is a relatively new oral GLP-1 agonist that is taken by mouth and is approved for weight loss, although it’s currently under review for Type 2 diabetes.
Choosing between pills and injections depends on the medication and a person’s preferences. Some people are averse to using an injection, but many prefer them for their less frequent dosing.
Where GLP-1s and dual agonists like Mounjaro and Ozempic fit on the chart
GLP-1 agonists and dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists go beyond lowering blood sugar levels. They also slow the emptying of the stomach to reduce appetite and promote weight loss.
GLP-1 agonists have also been shown to have other health benefits, such as reducing cardiovascular risks and managing kidney disease. Ozempic, in particular, is approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes, as well as slow the progression of kidney disease in adults with Type 2 diabetes.
Tirzepatide is a dual agonist available under the brand name Mounjaro. It has effects on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors to reduce blood sugar. In clinical trials, those who took tirzepatide experienced greater reductions in A1C and body weight than those on semaglutide.
There are still some caveats to using GLP-1 drugs, especially involving costs and side effects. Many people experience side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation when first starting treatment or increasing the dose. Higher costs can also be a concern since most GLP-1 agonists are only available as brand-name drugs. Liraglutide is a generic GLP-1 option that is taken once daily and usually has lower costs than other GLP-1 drugs.
How your doctor uses this chart to pick the right medication for you
The ADA’s Standards of Care have largely moved away from choosing medications based on their effects on A1C alone. Healthcare providers will take into account a person’s overall health when prescribing a drug.
While metformin is usually the most common starting drug for Type 2 diabetes, other first-line options may be recommended. For example, a person with heart disease, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease (CKD) may be better off starting with an SGLT2 inhibitor or GLP-1 agonist, as these medications can have protective effects on the heart and kidneys.
Other factors can also have an impact. If low blood sugar is a potential risk, a healthcare provider might avoid prescribing sulfonylureas or meglitinides, especially for people on insulin. If weight-loss effects are preferred, a healthcare provider might recommend a GLP-1 drug.
Keep in mind that many people may need to take more than one medication for glycemic control. Combination treatments are common for people who don’t improve with just one medication.
The cost gap the chart doesn’t show, and how to close it
Clinical charts rarely show the prices of medications. However, cost is often one of the reasons that people might skip a dose or switch medications. Here are some potential examples of costs based on SingleCare data from July 2026.
Cost Gap Chart |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Example dose and quantity | Retail price | SingleCare price |
| Biguanides | Metformin (500 mg, 60 tablets) | $127 | $5 |
| Sulfonylureas | Glimepiride (2 mg, 30 tablets) | $23 | $6 |
| SGLT2 inhibitors | Dapagliflozin (10 mg, 30 tablets) | $844 | $22 |
| Meglitinides | Repaglinide (1 mg, 90 tablets) | $244 | $23 |
| Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors | Acarbose (25 mg, 90 tablets) | $90 | $25 |
| Thiazolidinediones | Pioglitazone (30 mg, 90 tablets) | $860 | $26 |
| Insulin (rapid-acting) | Insulin lispro (one 10 mL vial) | $156 | $26 |
| DPP-4 inhibitors | Januvia (100 mg, 30 tablets) | $690 | $39 |
| Insulin (long-acting) | Lantus (one 10 mL vial) | $278 | $65 |
| SGLT2 inhibitors | Jardiance (25 mg, 30 tablets) | $796 | $255 |
| GLP-1 receptor agonists | Ozempic (one 2 mg/3 mL pen) | $1,395 | $792 |
| Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists | Mounjaro (5 mg/0.5 mL, 4 pens) | $1,508 | $872 |
Many of these drug classes have options that can be found for under $50 per month, especially when purchasing a generic with a coupon. The most expensive options are brand-name drugs with no generic alternatives available. A free SingleCare coupon is accepted at more than 35,000 pharmacies across the U.S. and works with or without insurance, including when a drug falls within your deductible or has a high copay.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the most common medication for Type 2 diabetes?
Metformin is the most commonly prescribed drug for Type 2 diabetes. It is effective for lowering blood sugar levels without carrying a high risk of hypoglycemia, and it’s one of the most accessible options.
Is metformin always the first medication doctors prescribe?
No, metformin is typically avoided in people with kidney problems. Other medications, such as SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists, can be used as first-line drugs, especially for people with heart disease, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease.
Can you take more than one diabetes medication at the same time?
Yes, it’s common to take more than one diabetes medication at a time. In many cases, more than one medication is needed to control blood sugar levels better than one medication alone.
What questions should I ask my doctor about starting a new diabetes medication?
You may want to ask questions about how to properly take the medication, what side effects to expect, and whether a lower-cost alternative is available. You can also ask about how the medication will help you reach your health goals and whether the medication interacts with other medicines you take.
Does insurance cover all diabetes medications?
No, insurance does not always cover diabetes medication. Insurance coverage will depend on your specific plan, its formulary or preferred drug list, and whether the insurance plan has any restrictions.
Bottom line
Finding the best diabetes medication is not always about achieving the lowest blood sugar level possible. It’s also about finding the right one based on your overall medical condition and the potential costs. Drug classes often have more accessible options in the form of generics or other alternatives. A diabetes medication chart that takes these different factors into account may help with making better treatment decisions with a healthcare provider.
Expert takeaway
The most effective diabetes medication is the one you stick to for the long term. That means finding a treatment that is effective, has few side effects, and is affordable for you.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Sep. 14, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- Insulin, medicines, & other diabetes treatments, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2022)
- Diabetes medicines, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine (2024)
- Current understanding of sodium N-(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl] amino) caprylate (SNAC) as an absorption enhancer: the oral semaglutide experience, Clinical Diabetes (2023)
- Tirzepatide versus semaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes, The New England Journal of Medicine (2021)
- Pharmacologic approaches to glycemic treatment: Standards of care in diabetes—2026, Diabetes Care (2026)
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