Can I Take Insulin if I Have Type 2 Diabetes?

Yes, you can take insulin if you have type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).¹ Insulin is not only used to manage type 1 diabetes mellitus. Your doctor may start you on different medications first, but many individuals with T2DM may need and benefit from insulin therapy at a certain point.

When Should Insulin Therapy Be Introduced in Type 2 Diabetes?

Insulin therapy can be introduced early if someone with T2DM shows one of the following conditions: very high blood glucose (ie, hyperglycemia) or hemoglobin A1C levels (ie, blood glucose >300 mg/dL or A1C >10%), symptoms of hyperglycemia, or signs of unexpected weight loss.¹

Is Insulin Therapy Beneficial for Type 2 Diabetes? 

The effectiveness of insulin therapy highly depends on its appropriate use by the patient, among many other factors.¹ Insulin has an advantage over other glucose-lowering medications in that it can lower glucose in a dose-dependent manner over a wide range. However, insulin therapy requires glucose monitoring, frequent titration, injection, and is associated with weight gain and hypoglycemia.

When glycemic control is not achieved with other glucose-lowering medications, insulin therapy can be beneficial. Studies have shown that early insulin therapy may also help reduce the risk of microvascular complications.² For instance, a 10-year follow-up of the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study found that intensive therapy using sulfonylureas, insulin, or metformin lowers the risk of microvascular complications long-term when compared to conventional therapy using diet alone.³

Do I Need to Stop Taking Other Medications?

It is likely that your health care provider will recommend the continuation of your normal diabetes medication regimen, even if you begin taking insulin.¹ If insulin is used, combination therapy with a medication called glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist is suggested for greater glycemic control, benefits to weight, and lowered risk of hypoglycemia. Other glucose-lowering medications may be continued even when insulin is started, unless contraindicated or not tolerated. However, dosages for other medications may need to change depending on the risk of hypoglycemia.

What Types of Insulin Are There?  

There are largely two types of insulin that people with T2DM utilize often: basal insulin and prandial insulin.¹

Basal Insulin – Basal insulin is a type of insulin treatment that is slow acting. It’s used to control blood glucose and prevent hyperglycemia in between meals and overnight by restraining glucose production by the liver.

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general information and knowledge on the subject matter. The views expressed in newsletters, articles, and blogs in the i-SENS USA website are not necessarily those of i-SENS Incorporated, i-SENS USA Incorporated or our publishers. Medical or nutritional information on i-SENS USA website is not intended to replace professional medical advice – you should always consult a specialist with any questions about your specific circumstances.