Do all diabetics get free prescriptions?

If you take diabetes medicine, you're entitled to free prescriptions for all your medicines. To claim your free prescriptions, you'll need to apply for an exemption certificate.

nhs.uk - Type 2 diabetes - Understanding medicine - NHS

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You may have to take it for the rest of your life, although your medicine or dose may need to change over time. This helps keep your blood sugar level as normal as possible to prevent health problems.

Most people need medicine to control their type 2 diabetes.

Your medicine might not make you feel any different, but this does not mean it's not working. It's important to keep taking it to help prevent future health problems . Your GP or diabetes nurse will recommend the medicines most suitable for you. You may need to take extra medicines, or a different medicine such as insulin, if: There are many types of medicine for type 2 diabetes. It can take time to find a medicine and dose that's right for you.

Metformin

Metformin is the most common medicine for type 2 diabetes. It can help keep your blood sugar at a healthy level.

It comes as tablets you take with or after meals.

Common side effects of metformin include feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. If this happens to you, your doctor may suggest trying a different type called slow-release metformin.

Find out more about metformin

Other diabetes medicines

If metformin does not work well enough on its own, you cannot take it or you have other health problems, you may need to take other medicines alongside or instead of metformin.

These include:

other tablets that help lower your blood sugar, such as gliclazide, glimepiride, alogliptin, linagliptin or pioglitazone tablets that lower your blood sugar and help your heart pump blood around your body, such as dapagliflozin or empagliflozin injections that lower your blood sugar and help you lose weight, such as exenatide or liraglutide

Insulin

You'll need insulin if other medicines no longer work well enough to keep your blood sugar within a healthy range. Sometimes you may need insulin for a short time, such as if you're pregnant, if you're ill, or to bring your blood sugar level down when you're first diagnosed. You inject insulin using an insulin pen. This is a device that helps you inject safely and take the right dose. Using an insulin pen does not usually hurt. The needles are very small, as you only inject a small amount just under your skin. Your diabetes nurse will show you where to inject and how to use your pen. Your GP or diabetes specialist will recommend the type of insulin treatment that's best for you.

Find out more about insulin from Diabetes UK

Side effects

Your diabetes medicine may cause side effects, but most people do not get any.

The side effects you may get depend on which medicines you're taking.

Do not stop taking your medicine if you get side effects. Talk to your doctor, who may suggest trying a different medicine.

Low blood sugar (hypos)

Some diabetes medicines can cause low blood sugar, known as hypoglycaemia or hypos. If you take medicine that can cause hypos, your doctor might recommend that you check your blood sugar regularly. You'll be given a testing kit and shown how to do a finger-prick test. If you take insulin at least twice a day and have frequent or severe hypos, you might also be offered a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or flash monitor. This is a small sensor you wear on your skin that lets you check your blood sugar level at any time.

Learn more about checking your blood sugar levels from Diabetes UK

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Can I use someone else's Costco card?

customerservice.costco.com - Can other people use my membership card? - Costco Customer Service

The Costco membership card is non-transferable, but there are several ways to share the experience with family and friends. Anyone with a card can bring up to two guests to the Warehouse during each visit. Keep in mind that purchasing items is exclusive to Costco members. If you’re the Primary Member or Account Manager, you can assign your free household card to one other person in your home. That way they'll also get the benefits of a Costco membership. To add someone, sign in and head to Account Details in your Costco.com Account. You can add a person to your household in your Account Details section, and they can pick up their card at the membership counter of your closest Costco.

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