An overview of type 2 diabetes drugs

If a patient has type 2 diabetes, sometimes lifestyle changes -- healthier eating, becoming more active, and losing weight -- aren't enough to keep his blood sugar in his target range. If that's the case, he may need one or more types of prescription pills to help control his condition.

Several classes of oral diabetes drugs are designed to help keep blood sugar in check:

• Biguanides
• Meglitinides
• D-phenylalanine derivatives
• Thiazolidinediones
• Sulfonylureas
• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
• DPP-4 inhibitors

Here's what you need to know about each of them: