Oral hypoglycemic agents

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Oral hypoglycemic agents or oral antihyperglycemic agents are medications used to treat type 2 diabetes. They are usually prescribed when diet and exercise alone are not enough to control blood glucose levels.

Types of oral hypoglycemic agents[edit | edit source]

There are several types of oral hypoglycemic agents, including:

  • Sulfonylureas: These stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin.
  • Biguanides: The most common biguanide is metformin. It reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver.
  • Thiazolidinediones: These make the body's cells more sensitive to insulin.
  • Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: These slow the body's absorption of carbohydrates.
  • Meglitinides: These stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin but are faster acting and have a shorter duration than sulfonylureas.
  • DPP-4 inhibitors: These block an enzyme called DPP-4, which results in increased insulin production and decreased glucose production.

Side effects[edit | edit source]

Side effects of oral hypoglycemic agents can include:

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Oral hypoglycemic agents Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD