Tamil - Australian Diabetes Council

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Oral Medications
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. Even though you can be doing all the right things
to manage your diabetes, it may be necessary to start medication to keep healthy blood
glucose (sugar) levels.
When starting new medication you need to ask your doctor and pharmacist:
• How many tablets you should take
• How often you should take your tablets
• What time of the day you should take your tablets -
whether before food, with food or after food
• How your tablets work
• The side effects
• How your tablets affect or are affected by other
medications you are taking.
Over time your medications may not work as well.
For this reason it is recommended to have your
medications reviewed by your doctor every year.
Your local pharmacist can also help you understand
your medications.
Do not stop, decrease or increase your medication without first discussing it with your doctor
or diabetes educator.
Do not share your medications with anyone else.
Certain diabetes medication can increase the risk of a low blood glucose level
(hypoglycaemia). It is essential to know how to recognise and treat low blood glucose or
hypoglycaemia. Ask your doctor, pharmacist or diabetes educator if this applies to you.
If you are having frequent episodes of hypoglycaemia it is very important to speak with your
family doctor or diabetes health care team.
Further assistance with your medications:
Home Medication Review:
If you are taking five or more different medicines, talk to your doctor about arranging
a home medication review by your local pharmacist.
National Prescribing Service:
For information over the phone regarding the expert use of any of your medications
you can contact the National Prescribing Service consumer enquiry line “Medicines
Line” on 1300 633 424.
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