Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce sufficient quantities of the hormone insulin or does not absorb insulin as well as it should. This can lead to abnormally high blood sugar levels and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage. Most people with the disease need to take pills to control blood sugar levels. Types of pills include biguanides, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. Combining 2 different types of pills usually works better to control blood sugar than a single medicine, but can also make it more likely that blood sugar levels will drop too low. Most types can cause weight gain, although metformin does not. Factors to consider in deciding what kind of pills to take include when and how often the medicine is taken, cost, and possible weight gain.

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