Tablets - a brief introduction

Your healthcare professional may decide control of your diabetes will be helped with some tablets.

There are four types of tablet available in New Zealand and they act in different ways. Click on the links below to learn more:

• Glucosidase inhibitors (Glucobay) slow down the digestion of carbohydrates.
• Sulphonylureas (Gliben, Apo-Gliclazide, Minidiab, Diatol) stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin
• Biguanides (Metomin), work on the liver preventing it from releasing too much glucose, and make muscle cells more sensitive to insulin
• Glitazones (Actos, Avandia) work on muscle cells making them more sensitive to insulin.

With the exception of Avandia, all these medicines are fully subsidised, and with the exception of Actos, you can obtain 90 days supply from your pharmacy at one time.