Pills for Type 2 Diabetes: A Guide for Adults

Type 2 diabetes means the body has a problem with insulin. This causes blood sugar to get too high. Insulin is a hormone, or chemical, made by the body that is needed to change food into energy. When you have type 2 diabetes, your body either does not make enough insulin, or it doesn't use insulin as well as it should. Diabetes is treated with insulin or oral medicines (pills).

This guide can help you talk with your doctor or nurse about pills for type 2 diabetes. It covers:

• Common kinds of diabetes pills.
• How well they work for adults with type 2 diabetes.
• Side effects.
• Price.

The information in this guide comes from a government-funded review of research about pills for type 2 diabetes

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Do you have GERD?

The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. The stomach makes acid to digest the food. Sometimes the acid can back up into the esophagus. This can cause symptoms such as heartburn or even a sour taste in your mouth. When it happens often and over a long period of time, it is called GERD.

Many people have heartburn once in awhile. Others have GERD that is not too bad. They can keep it under control by lifestyle changes. Antacids or other over-the-counter medicines can also help.

Note:
This information is for people who have more severe GERD and are being treated by a doctor or other health care provider. Take this information with you when you and your provider decide how to treat your GERD.

Comparing Two Kinds of Blood Pressure Pills: ACEIs and ARBs

High blood pressure is treated with different kinds of pills, like diuretics (water pills), beta blockers, ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), and ARBs. In fact, people often take more than one kind of pill to bring blood pressure down.

This guide can help you talk with your doctor or nurse about two of the many kinds of blood pressure pills. It compares the benefits, side effects, and prices of drugs called ACEIs (pronounced “aces”) and ARBs.

The information in this guide comes from a government-funded review of research comparing ACEIs and ARBs.