Use of Diabetes Pills Up, Insulin Use Down

Use of Diabetes Pills Up, Insulin Use Down: The proportion of Americans reporting treatment for diabetes who took oral medications to treat their condition increased from 60% in 1997 to 77% in 2007, a 28% increase, according to the latest “News and Numbers” from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. During the same period, the proportion taking insulin to control their diabetes fell from 38% to 24%. Specifically the proportions of people who were treated for diabetes who used the three most commonly prescribed oral medications were as follows: Sulfonylureas declined from 51% to 40%; Biguanides increased from 21% to 55%; and Thiazolidinediones increased from 5% to 25%. Trends in the Pharmaceutical Treatment of Diabetes: A Comparison of Utilization and Expenditures, 1997 and 2007 https://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/st293/stat293.shtml).