The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved oral antidiabetic agents and incretin mimetics to treat type 2 diabetes only, as a supplement to exercise and diet. Synthetic amylin is approved for cases of type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes that are already treated with insulin but need additional help controlling glucose (blood sugar).

Some physicians may choose to prescribe certain antidiabetic agents "off-label" for other conditions, such as prediabetes, insulin resistance or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Scientists are investigating possible additional uses of some antidiabetic agents. For example, cancer researchers are studying several potential roles for thiazolidinediones.