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

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

Side effects of oral hypoglycemic agents can include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Weight gain
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Skin rash

See also

• Insulin therapy
• Diabetes management
• Glycemic index

References

Oral hypoglycemic agents Resources
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