Prescribing guide: individualising medicines use for people with type 2 diabetes
Medicines safety
When choosing and reviewing medicines, their safety profiles and adverse effects are important considerations, particularly when people may be taking multiple medicines for multiple comorbidities. When NICE recommends medicines, healthcare professionals are expected to take note of the contraindications, warnings, safety recommendations and any monitoring requirements for the medicine. These are explained in the summaries of product characteristics for the medicine and the BNF.
The MHRA also covers safety advice in drug safety updates (DSUs). For recent DSUs about diabetes medicines, see:
Metformin
SGLT2 inhibitors
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SGLT2 inhibitors: monitor ketones in blood during treatment interruption for surgical procedures or acute serious medical illness (18 March 2020)
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SGLT2 inhibitors: reports of Fournier's gangrene (necrotising fasciitis of the genitalia or perineum) (18 February 2019)
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SGLT2 inhibitors: updated advice on the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (18 April 2016)
GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists
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Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus): risk of Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) (5 February 2026)
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GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists: strengthened warnings on acute pancreatitis, including necrotising and fatal cases (29 January 2026)
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GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists: potential risk of pulmonary aspiration during general anaesthesia or deep sedation (28 January 2025)
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GLP-1 receptor agonists: reminder of the potential side effects and to be aware of the potential for misuse (24 October 2024)
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GLP-1 receptor agonists: reports of diabetic ketoacidosis when concomitant insulin was rapidly reduced or discontinued (19 June 2019)
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