• Take your diabetes medications as prescribed by your doctor. Oral diabetes medications and insulin are taken every day but there are a few injectable medications that only need to be taken once a week. Make sure you understand how and when to take your medications.
• To help you remember to take your medication, put a reminder note somewhere you cannot miss it, or set an alarm or a reminder on your smartphone.
• Some gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea and diarrhea are expected and should resolve with time. If nausea bothers you, try to take your medication with a small meal or a snack like crackers.
• You may need to take the medications for a long time or your whole life.
• Do not stop the medication without talking to your doctor first.

• Set up automatic refills or refill reminders at your pharmacy, OR
• Use mail order pharmacy to get a three month supply of medications mailed to your home

Find out how you can get your prescriptions delivered with our Mail Order Pharmacy.

• Blood sugar testing provides important information on how well your medications are working, or how your food intake, exercise or illness affect your blood sugar levels.
• Check your blood sugar levels using a blood glucose meter. The frequency of testing may vary based on individual needs.
• If you take insulin, check your blood sugar before meals and snacks and before and after exercise.
• Follow your doctor’s advice on how often you need to check your blood sugar level.
• Keep a record of your levels and discuss them with you doctor.

The American Diabetes Association recommends the following target blood sugar levels:  

• Before meals: 80-130mg/dl
• Two hour after meals: Less than 180mg/dl

These goals vary based on your age and personal health. Ask your doctor what your specific target goal should be.