Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Practice Exam

Which diabetes medication is known as the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes?

1. Insulin glargine

2. Metformin

3. Exenatide

4. Sitagliptin

The correct answer is: Metformin

Metformin is recognized as the first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes due to its effectiveness in lowering blood sugar levels and its relatively favorable safety profile. It works primarily by reducing hepatic glucose production, increasing insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues, and enhancing glucose uptake. One of the advantages of metformin is that it does not typically cause weight gain and is associated with a lower risk of hypoglycemia compared to other diabetes medications. In clinical guidelines, metformin is often recommended as the initial pharmacotherapy choice unless contraindicated, making it a cornerstone in the management of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, it can be used in combination with other medications when blood sugar control is not adequately achieved with metformin alone, further solidifying its central role in diabetes treatment.