July 1, 2015
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Oral Diabetes Prescription Medications

Medical Editor:

What are oral diabetes medications and how do they work?


For what conditions are diabetes pills used?

Oral diabetes medications are only used to treat type 2 or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes are dependent on insulin for their treatment.

Are there differences among types of oral diabetes medications?

Medications that increase insulin production


Meglitinides also stimulate the release of more insulin from beta cells. Repaglinide (Prandin) and nateglinide (Starlix) are taken before each of three meals.

Medications that decrease glucose production and increase insulin sensitivity

One drug makes up the class of oral diabetes medications known as the biguanides, and that is metformin (Glucophage). It works by decreasing production of glucose by the liver and by making muscle more sensitive to insulin. The thiazolidinediones, rosiglitazone (Avandia) and pioglitazone (Actos), work in a similar way.

Medications that slow the breakdown of carbohydrates

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors approach the blood glucose issue in a different way. By inhibiting the breakdown of starches in the intestine, these medications slow the rise in blood sugar normally seen after a meal. Examples include acarbose (Precose) and meglitol (Glyset).

Medications that increase insulin production and decrease glucose production

In the last category of oral diabetes medications is the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin (Januvia). This drug works by inhibiting the action of an enzyme in the body that leads to increase in insulin release. It also decreases the production of glucose by the liver.

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