Medication Eligibility Checker
Enter your clinical values to see which diabetes medication classes may be appropriate - based on standard clinical guidelines. Always confirm with your doctor.
Educational estimator only - not medical advice.
Your Clinical Values
Established Cardiovascular Disease
Heart attack, stroke, angina, or peripheral artery disease
Heart Failure
Eligibility Overview
Enter your HbA1c, eGFR, BMI, and cardiovascular history above to see the medication eligibility overview.
About Each Medication Class
First-line medication for type 2 diabetes. Works by reducing liver glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity. Inexpensive, weight-neutral, and has decades of safety data. Avoid if eGFR <30; use with caution if eGFR 30-45. Main side effects: GI upset (take with food).
(e.g. empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, canagliflozin). Remove glucose through urine. Major benefits: cardiovascular protection, heart failure reduction, and kidney protection. Preferred for patients with CVD, heart failure, or CKD. Avoid if eGFR <30 (varies by drug). Side effects: UTI risk, genital infections. Weight benefit: modest.
(e.g. semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide). Stimulate insulin release, suppress glucagon, and slow gastric emptying. Significant weight loss benefit (5-15%). Proven cardiovascular benefit. Generally safe in kidney disease (no dose adjustment). Side effects: nausea, vomiting (especially on starting). Preferred for patients with CVD or obesity.
(e.g. sitagliptin, saxagliptin, vildagliptin). Prevent breakdown of GLP-1, increasing insulin secretion. Weight-neutral. Well-tolerated. Safe in kidney disease with dose adjustment. Saxagliptin - avoid in heart failure. Good option when GLP-1 RA not tolerated or affordable.
(e.g. glipizide, gliclazide, glibenclamide). Stimulate pancreatic insulin release. Effective and low-cost. Main concern: hypoglycaemia risk, especially if meals are skipped. Weight gain possible. Use glipizide/gliclazide (shorter-acting) over glibenclamide in elderly or CKD. Avoid if eGFR <30.
Required for type 1 diabetes. Often added in type 2 when HbA1c is >9-10% or oral agents are insufficient. Safe in all stages of kidney disease (dose adjustments may be needed). Can cause hypoglycaemia and weight gain. Multiple types: rapid-acting (meal bolus), long-acting (basal), premixed.
Learn More
Understand the evidence behind SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 RAs in detail - including trial data, real-world use, side effects, and how to have an informed conversation with your diabetes team about these newer medication classes.
FOD Mature Ch 10: SGLT-2 & GLP-1
! Important Medical Disclaimer
This tool is strictly for educational and informational purposes. It does NOT constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or a prescription. Medication eligibility depends on your complete medical history, current medications, allergies, contraindications, and individual circumstances that only your healthcare provider can assess. Never start, stop, or change any medication without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. The clinical rules used here are simplified versions of complex guidelines and may not reflect the latest updates.
This tool is strictly for educational and informational purposes. It does NOT constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or a prescription. Medication eligibility depends on your complete medical history, current medications, allergies, contraindications, and individual circumstances that only your healthcare provider can assess. Never start, stop, or change any medication without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. The clinical rules used here are simplified versions of complex guidelines and may not reflect the latest updates.