Medication Names

Key Points

Sulfonylureas

Examples:

• Glipizide (Glucotrol^®)
• Glyburide (Micronase^®)
• Glimepiride (Amaryl^®)

• Helps the pancreas make more insulin
• Can cause low blood sugars
• Can cause loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps

Biguanides

Example:

• Metformin (Glucophage^®)

• Prevents the liver from making glucose
• Helps the muscles use glucose
• Slows down how quickly the intestine absorbs glucose
• May cause nausea, diarrhea, and bloating.  Taking it with food may decrease these side effects. These symptoms often disappear in a few weeks.

Thiazolidinediones (“TZDs”)

Examples:

• Pioglitazone (Actos^®)
• Rosiglitazone (Avandia^®)

• Helps muscles use glucose
• Decreases glucose produced by the liver
• May cause swelling and/or weight gain

Meglitinides

Examples:

• Repaglinide  (Prandin^®)
• Nateglinide (Starlix^®)

• Helps the pancreas to make more insulin
• Works quickly after meals to lower blood sugar in the first hour after a meal
• Can cause weight gain
• May cause low blood sugars

Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors

Examples:

• Acarbose (Precose^®)
• Miglitol (Glyset^®)

• Delays the travel of sugar in the bloodstream after eating
• Gas and bloating are common

Sitagliptin (Januvia^®)

• Regulates the amount of insulin your body makes after eating