These medications may be in the form of tablets and some are given by injection. These tablets or injections are intended to be used together with healthy eating and regular physical activity, not as a substitute. Ask your doctor, diabetes nurse practitioner or diabetes educator if your dose of diabetes medication or insulin needs to be adjusted while you are on steroid medication. Everyone’s body reacts a little differently to medications. Take note of any unusual symptoms or side effects you might experience when starting a new medication or changing the type or dose. Make an appointment to see your doctor or diabetes nurse practitioner to let them know you are experiencing unusual symptoms or side effects so they can change your dose or even swap medication types. The goal is to find the treatment that works best for you. Read the information leaflet that comes with the medication or ask your pharmacist for the Consumer Medicines Information leaflet. Read more about medications in our fact sheets. Insulin fact sheet Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose to move from the bloodstream into the body’s cells. Different people need different types of insulin. Your treatment needs to be tailored to your needs. Download now Medications for type 2 diabetes fact sheet When you are first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you may not need to take medication. Over time, you may need glucose-lowering medication to help keep blood glucose levels in the target range. Download now Steroid medications and diabetes fact sheet Some people with diabetes may need to take steroid medications to help manage other conditions. Steroid medications can increase blood glucose levels. Download now Complementary medications Complementary (also called ‘traditional’ or ‘alternative’) medicines are: a group of diverse medical and health care systems and products (e.g., vitamins, minerals, and herbal, aromatherapy and homeopathic products) Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before you start any complementary or alternative medications. Some of these may affect your diabetes or interact with your insulin. Find out more about complementary medicines. When you have type 1 diabetes Type 1 diabetes is managed by replacing the insulin your body can no longer make. Insulin is given by injection or by using an insulin pump. Your doctor or diabetes nurse practitioner will work with you to decide on the type of insulin you need and recommend how often you need to take it. This will depend on your lifestyle and individual needs. When you have type 2 diabetes Your diabetes can be managed with healthy eating and regular physical activity. Over time, you may also need to add glucose-lowering medicines such as tablets or non-insulin injectable medications to lower blood glucose levels. When type 2 diabetes progresses, some people will need insulin injections to help keep their blood glucose levels in their target range. Read more in our: Medication and their use during breastfeeding. Concerns about starting insulin (for people with type 2 diabetes) fact sheet Many people with type 2 diabetes have concerns or feel anxious about starting insulin. There are many things you can do to adjust to this new way of managing your diabetes. Download now Starting insulin (for people with type 2 diabetes) This booklet is for people with type 2 diabetes who are interested in learning more about insulin as a way of managing their diabetes, if their doctor has recommended starting insulin. Download When you have gestational diabetes Your diabetes is managed by following a healthy eating plan, regular physical activity, and monitoring blood glucose levels. You may also need medication or insulin injections to help manage gestational diabetes. Medication changes If you start using insulin or an approved non-insulin injectable medication (such as Victoza®), your doctor or diabetes educator should notify the NDSS of these changes to your medication, so you will be able to access syringes or pen needles through the NDSS. How are you going with your diabetes health checks? It is essential to do an annual cycle of care to find any health problems early. Without regular checks, diabetes can lead to health problems that can affect your whole body, including your kidneys, eyes, feet, nerves and heart. Ask your doctor for the timing of health checks and targets that meet your individual health needs. Your medications should be reviewed every year as part of your diabetes health checks. Read more in our fact sheet or listen to our podcast series. Your diabetes annual cycle of care fact sheet The diabetes annual cycle of care is a checklist for reviewing your diabetes management and general health each year. Download now Annual cycle of care podcast series Listen to our Annual cycle of care podcast series to learn more about what it is, why it’s important, and what you need to know about it. Available in other languages Listen now Free access to diabetes programs Learn to manage your diabetes confidently with diabetes programs, available face-to-face and online. Register for a diabetes program. Living well with insulin This online program will help you feel more comfortable and confident caring for your diabetes. Find an online program MedSmart This interactive online program will give you the knowledge and confidence to manage your diabetes medications. Find an online program More information and support Call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 700 and ask to speak to a diabetes educator. For more information about your medication call the National Prescribing Service on the Medicine Line 1300 636 424 or go to Medicine Finder. Featured resources Insulin fact sheet Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose to move from the bloodstream into the body’s cells. Different people need different types of insulin. Your treatment needs to be tailored to your needs. Download now Medications for type 2 diabetes fact sheet When you are first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you may not need to take medication. Over time, you may need glucose-lowering medication to help keep blood glucose levels in the target range. Download now Steroid medications and diabetes fact sheet Some people with diabetes may need to take steroid medications to help manage other conditions. Steroid medications can increase blood glucose levels. Download now Concerns about starting insulin (for people with type 2 diabetes) fact sheet Many people with type 2 diabetes have concerns or feel anxious about starting insulin. There are many things you can do to adjust to this new way of managing your diabetes. Download now Starting insulin (for people with type 2 diabetes) This booklet is for people with type 2 diabetes who are interested in learning more about insulin as a way of managing their diabetes, if their doctor has recommended starting insulin. Download Your diabetes annual cycle of care fact sheet The diabetes annual cycle of care is a checklist for reviewing your diabetes management and general health each year. Download now
