Oral hypoglycemic agents
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:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Weight gain
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Skin rash
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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