Medications for type 2


Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors 

These medications slow the breakdown of some sugars, such as table sugar. Taken before a meal, the drug help slows the rise in blood glucose levels after a meal. However, these drugs may have side effects, including gas and diarrhea. Example of drugs in this class are Acarbose and Miglitol.

Biguanides

  Biguanides decrease how much sugar the liver makes and how much sugar the intestines absorb, making the body to be more sensitive to insulin, and helps muscles to absorb glucose. The most common biguanide drug is metformin. Usually taken two times a day, metformin can also be combined with other drugs for type 2 diabetes treatment.

Dopamine Agonist

  Bromocriptine is a dopamine agonist. It’s not known exactly how this drug works to treat type 2 diabetes. It may affect rhythms in the body and prevent insulin resistance.


DPP-4 Inhibitors 

  DPP-4 inhibitors help the body continue to make insulin and can also help the pancreas to produce more insulin

Glucagon-Like Peptides (Incretin Mimetics)

  These drugs are similar to the natural hormone called incretin which increases B-cell growth and how much insulin the body uses. Example of drugs are Albiglutide, Dulaglutide, Exenatide, Liraglutide

Meglitinides 

 Meglitinides are drugs that stimulate the beta cells to release insulin; however, in some cases may lower the blood sugar too much, causing hypoglycemia. Repaglinide and nateglinide are example of meglitinides.

 Sodium Glucose Transporter (SGLT) 2 Inhibitors 

 These drugs work by preventing the kidneys from holding on to glucose and helping the body to get rid of glucose through urine excretion. Canagliflozin and dapagliflozin are SGLT2 inhibitors to treat type 2 diabetes. Side effects of these drugs can include urinary tract and yeast infections due to the increase of glucose levels in the urine

Sulfonylureas

 Sulfonylurea drugs are among the oldest diabetes drugs still used today that have been in use since the 1950s. Sulfonylureas stimulate the beta cells of the pancreas to release more insulin. Chlorpropamide is the only first-generation sulfonylurea still in use today. Other drug example of sulfonylureas are glipizide, glyburide, and glimepiride.


 Thiazolidinediones

 Example of thiazolidinediones are rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. These medications work by decreasing glucose in the liver. They help insulin work better in the muscle and fat and also reduces glucose production in the liver. Both drugs appear to increase the risk for heart failure and increase risk of heart attacks.

DPP-4 Inhibitors 
Drugs in this class includes sitagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin, and alogliptin. DPP-4 inhibitors help improve A1C without causing hypoglycemia, and works by preventing the breakdown of a naturally occurring compound in the body known as GLP-1. GLP-1 reduces blood glucose levels in the body, but broke down quickly. DPP-4 inhibitors allow GLP-1 to remain active in the body longer by interfering in the process that breaks down GLP-1.

  Bile Acid Sequestrants

 The bile acid sequestrant (BAS) colesevelam is a cholesterol-lowering medication that also reduces blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes. They reduce LDL cholesterol by binding with bile acids in the digestive system; the body in turn uses cholesterol to replace the bile acids  which lowers cholesterol levels.

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