I have type 2 diabetes, have been on Glucophage for almost six months, and for the past two months, my premeal sugar has been 99 mg/dl [5.5 mmol/L]. Will I stay on Glucophage as long as my sugar-level meter readings remain constant or will I inevitably have to go on insulin? In other words, is there a time limit for the effectiveness of Glucophage, even though the symptoms do not change? I ask because someone told me that in five years I will have to go on insulin.

There is no time limit for any of the pills for diabetes as long as you are feeling okay and your blood sugars are within target (less than 120 mg/dl [6.7 mmol/L] before meals, less than 140 mg/dl [7.8 mmol/L] two hours after meals), and your hemoglobin A1c is less than 6.5%.

You only mentioned premeal tests. If you aren’t testing two hours after eating, you should start alternating your test times so that you have more information about both before and after meals. As far as your future on Glucophage [metformin], no one knows. If you eat reasonable meals limiting carbohydrates and exercise regularly, you may be able to prolong the time that the medication works for you. Additionally, there are several different pills you may be able to take along with the Glucophage before you require insulin.

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