To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any medication specifically for the treatment of insulin resistance. However, oral antidiabetic agents prescribed off-label by a physician may be used to treat insulin resistance. These drugs, which usually are prescribed for treatment of type 2 diabetes, include:

• Sulfonylureas. Stimulate the beta cells in the pancreas (a gland in the abdomen) to make more insulin. They may cause sun sensitivity and glucose (blood sugar) to drop too low too low (hypoglycemia).
  
  
• Meglitinides. Like sulfonylureas, these stimulate the beta cells to make more insulin. They too may cause hypoglycemia.
  
  
• Biguanides. Probably diminish insulin resistance slightly, decrease the amount of glucose produced by the liver and help muscles better absorb glucose in the blood. They have little risk of contributing to hypoglycemia because they do not increase insulin levels in the blood. These medications are not recommended for patients with kidney damage or heart failure.
  

  

• Thiazolidinediones. Help make muscle and fat more sensitive to insulin and reduce glucose production in the liver. These pills can significantly reduce the amount of insulin that patients need to take via injections or other means. These medications may have rare but serious effects on the liver.
  
  
• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. Prevent or slow the absorption of some carbohydrates in the intestine, which moderates blood glucose levels after meals.

In cases where insufficient testosterone (hypogonadism) contributes to insulin resistance, a physician may recommend testosterone therapy, such as skin patches or injections.

Exercise and weight loss can often help patients to increase their sensitivity to insulin. Even small lifestyle changes can pay big health dividends for those with insulin resistance. For individuals with type 1 diabetes, weight loss and exercise may prevent those at risk from developing insulin resistance and double diabetes.  Lifestyle changes are particularly important for children who are overweight or obese.

People who have prediabetes may be able to avoid developing type 2 diabetes through lifestyle improvements. In addition, some patients, particularly those who lose weight, may be able to reverse insulin resistance itself and bring glucose levels back to normal.

Regular physical examinations may help in preventing insulin resistance. Several recent studies show that waist measurement in children and adults can reveal risk of the condition.

Most of the changes that can help patients become less resistant to insulin revolve around diet, weight loss and exercise. For example, exercise forces muscle cells to use blood glucose to make energy for the body. Meanwhile, weight loss reduces fat tissue, which is known to create resistance to insulin.  

Patients can take several steps to reduce insulin resistance. These include:

• Diet and weight loss
• Physical activity

Researchers are studying several possible treatments for insulin resistance. These include food products such as fiber and whey that may make the body less resistant to insulin.

Scientists are also investigating medications, including angiotensin II receptor blockers, that may reverse insulin resistance resulting from burns or other trauma.