Oral medications  People with type 2 diabetes often require oral
medications when lifestyle interventions (diet modification,
increase in physical activity) alone are not enough to keep
blood glucose levels within the target range. Blood glucose-
lowering medicines enhance the effects of lifestyle changes and
aim to achieve the best possible blood glucose levels in order
to prevent or delay the development of diabetes complications.
There are number of different types of blood glucose-lowering
medicines which work in different ways. They can be divided into
six groups by their mode of action:    • Those that increase
insulin production.   • Those that reduce glucose production and
release from the liver.   • Those that reduce insulin
resistance.   • Those that slow the absorption of sucrose and
starch.   • Those that increase the response of beta cells to
circulating glucose levels and promote full feeling.   • Those
that increase the effects of incretins, hormones that cause an
increase in the amount of insu