Prescription drugs are never a substitute for appropriate diet and exercise in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and ignoring these other two fundamentals of diabetes management is a recipe for disaster. If and when you start medication, stay on track with your diet and exercise program. You need all three parts of the equation to manage your diabetes effectively.

On the other hand, sometimes people with type 2 diabetes hesitate to agree to drugs because they feel like they have failed if they can't achieve blood glucose control with diet and exercise alone. Remember that medication is not a crutch, but rather just another tool for getting your blood glucose levels under control, which is your main objective in managing your diabetes. You need to take advantage of every tool at your disposal to build a solid and effective treatment program.