HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

How many years do the diabetic medicine tablets work on the body before you need insulin?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Quang Nguyen answered

Specializes in Endocrinology

Depends: The answer depends on the individual's characteristics and circumstances. Some people need Insulin right away while others might never need to be on Insulin and can be on orals forever. In general, the more weight you lose, the more active you are, the less likely you will need Insulin as your sole treatment.

Answered 6/25/2014

5.7k views

Thank
Show 1 more comment

Related Questions

A member asked:

Diabetes I am using insulin injection for more than12 years type humolin 70/30?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

I am diabetic for last 5 years. I take only insulin (Novomix 30) to control it. Does insulin has any long term side effect?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

A 65 years old diabetic who takes insulin as treatment, can a person take any oral medication instead of insulin to control the disease?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

What is duration time of novolog u-100 insulin, from start to finish type 1 diabetic for 44 years and been getting conflicting duration times from 30 minutes to 4 hours

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Insulin resistant severe weight loss. Hypoglycemic many years before diabetic.Causes?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

I am diabetic for 5 years. I take only Insulin. Doctor prescribed my Ursodeoxycolic Acid 150 mg tablet twice daily for high SGPT (156). Does it work?
Type 2 Diabetic from last 13 years & insulin 2 times 18 &14 unit from last 02 years. Now I am in E.D problem. I have no problem in , liver , kidney & heart. which medicine is best for E.D problem?
I am 69 year old, can I vaccinate Covishield. I have done heart bypass surgery 10 years ago, taking heart tablets daily. Diabetic for the past 10 years currently under Insulin. Removed gall bladder. Creatinine level 1.4?
Does a type 1 diabetic (40 years old) need an insulin pump?
What happens if someone has had diabetes for 24 years and have retinopathy .could they get an insulin pump from the diabetes clinic ?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.