Biguanides
Sulfonylureas
Sulfonylureas are medications that force the
pancreas to produce more insulin. As a result, they are effective, but are also more likely to cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Besides
Prandin, these medications include:
Thiazolidinediones
These
diabetes drugs, also called glitazones, primarily work by helping the body to better use its natural insulin. Medications in this class include:
Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors
These
diabetes medications prevent the breakdown of sugar and carbohydrates in the digestive tract, slowing down their absorption. They are used to decrease blood sugar levels after meals. Medications in this class include:
Dipeptidyl Peptidase Inhibitors
This is a relatively new class of oral
diabetes drugs. Currently, there are two medications available in the group --
sitagliptin (
Januvia®) and
saxagliptin (
Onglyza™). These drugs increase incretin levels in the body. Incretin is a hormone that helps to control blood sugar.
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