| Class of Oral Agents |
Generic & (Brand) Names |
Action (how it works) |
Key Information |
When to Check Blood Sugar |
| Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors |
acarbose (Precose)miglitol (Glyset) |
Delays absorption of some carbohydrates at mealtimes |
Take with first bite of meal to prevent high blood sugar after meals
Side effects: gas, bloating, diarrhea that disappears with use
|
2 hours after eating |
| Biguanides |
metformin (Glucophage) |
Helps body use its own insulin better: muscles use more sugar and liver decreases sugar production |
May promote weight loss, which also helps to lower blood sugar
May lower blood fat levels, which may be high in people with type 2 diabetes
Side effects: a metallic taste in your mouth; nausea, diarrhea, and stomach upset that disappears with use
|
Before meals (4 to 5 hours after previous meal)
Fasting blood sugar
|
| Meglitinides |
repaglinide (Prandin) |
Stimulates insulin release from the pancreas; rapidly absorbed and taken before each meal |
May increase risk of hypoglycemia
May cause weight gain
|
1 to 2 hours after eating |
| First Generation Sulfonylureas |
chlorpropamide (Diabinese)
tolazamide (Tolinase)
tolbutmide (Orinase)
|
Increases insulin secretion
|
May increase risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Side effects: upset stomach, skin rash or itching, weight gain
|
Before meals (4 to 5 hours after previous meal) or 2 to 3 hours after meals
Fasting blood sugar
Minimum:1-2x/day
|
| Second Generation Sulfonylureas |
glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL)
glyburide (Micronase, DiaBeta, Glynase)
glimepiride (Amaryl)
|
Increases insulin secretion |
May increase risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Side effects: upset stomach, skin rash or itching, weight gain
|
Before meals (4 to 5 hours after previous meal) or 2 to 3 hours after meals
Fasting blood sugar
Minimum:1-2X/day
|
| Thiazolidinediones |
pioglitazone HCl (Actos)
rosiglitazone maleate (Avandia)
|
Works to decrease insulin resistance and improves the muscle's ability to use insulin
|
May decrease effectiveness of birth control pills
Requires yearly liver tests
|
Fasting blood sugar
2 to 3 hours after meals
Minimum: 1x/day
|
