Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition in which glucose stays in the blood rather than moving into cells for energy. It develops when insulin does not work properly or when the body makes too little of it. It mostly affects adults, although children can develop it too.
Medicines used to treat Type 2 Diabetes
Semaglutide
3 · 7 · 14mg
Semaglutide tablets are the generic-named twin of Rybelsus, an oral medicine for type 2 diabetes. You can choose from several strengths and pack sizes, each priced per tablet.
Glucophage
500 · 850 · 1000mg
Glucophage is metformin in film-coated tablets for diabetes mellitus. Several strengths and pack sizes are sold. You can compare the price per tablet across options.
Key points
- The pancreas often continues making insulin at first, but production tends to fall over time as glucose levels rise.
- Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes roughly doubles a person’s lifetime chance of developing the condition.
- Over time, high blood glucose damages small blood vessels, which raises the risk of kidney failure, vision loss and nerve damage.
What type 2 diabetes is
In type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells respond weakly to insulin. Muscle and fat tissue are less able to take up glucose, while the liver keeps releasing it into the bloodstream. Insulin normally moves glucose from the blood into cells for use as energy. Because this action is impaired, glucose accumulates in the blood.
This condition is seen mostly in adults, but it can also occur in children.
Symptoms and risk factors
Common signs include tiredness, hunger, thirst and passing urine more often. Some people also find that cuts heal slowly. A lack of physical activity, excess weight and a poor diet are among the factors that can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
How it is treated
Diet and activity changes come first, such as reducing refined carbohydrates and adding more movement each day. When blood glucose still needs further control, metformin is often the first tablet added. It lowers the amount of glucose released by the liver. Metformin is supplied as Glucophage tablets in 500, 850 and 1000mg strengths, and as metformin generics.
Other options include Rybelsus tablets, which contain semaglutide and are used in type 2 diabetes at 3, 7 and 14mg strengths. Farxiga (dapagliflozin) comes as 5 and 10mg tablets and is used in type 2 diabetes and in heart failure. Glyxambi combines linagliptin and empagliflozin in a 25/5mg tablet for type 2 diabetes. Sulphonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors and pioglitazone are further options; the wider range is under diabetes management. Orders are shipped to Malaysia from pharmacy partners in India in discreet packaging.
When to see a doctor
Get prompt medical attention for chest pain, a sudden change in eyesight, or numbness or pain spreading into the feet. Keeping HbA1c close to the target agreed with your doctor lowers the risk of long-term complications considerably.
What the sources say
- Screening tests can identify type 2 diabetes in people who have no symptoms (Healthdirect).
- For someone who is overweight, losing 5% to 10% of body weight can noticeably improve blood sugar control (Healthdirect).
Further reading
FAQ
What is type 2 diabetes and what causes it?
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition in which glucose collects in the blood instead of being taken up by cells for energy. The underlying problem is resistance to insulin, where muscle and fat cells answer the hormone weakly and the liver goes on releasing glucose. A lack of physical activity, excess weight and a poor diet are among the factors that raise the risk.
What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
The usual signs are tiredness, hunger, thirst and passing urine more often. Some people notice that cuts heal slowly. Some people have no symptoms and are found through diabetes screening tests.
How is type 2 diabetes treated?
Diet and activity changes come first: fewer refined carbohydrates, more movement each day, and weight loss where it is needed. When blood sugar needs further control, metformin is commonly the first tablet added, since it cuts the amount of glucose released by the liver.
When should someone with type 2 diabetes see a doctor?
Seek prompt attention for chest pain, a sudden change in eyesight, or numbness or pain spreading into the feet. Holding HbA1c close to the target agreed with your doctor lowers the risk of long-term complications considerably.
Which treatments for type 2 diabetes are available here?
The medicines listed for type 2 diabetes are made with semaglutide, dapagliflozin and metformin, for example Rybelsus and Farxiga. Each product page shows its strengths and forms.
Do you send medicines for type 2 diabetes to Malaysia?
Yes. Our pharmacy partners send orders from India to Malaysia in plain, discreet packaging. Express Tracked Courier takes up to 1 week; Standard Airmail can take up to 3 weeks.
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