Antidiabetic Drugs

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, resulting from either a lack of insulin production (Type 1 diabetes) or resistance to insulin (Type 2 diabetes). Proper management of diabetes involves lifestyle modifications and the use of pharmacological agents to control blood sugar levels. There are several classes of antidiabetic drugs, each with distinct mechanisms of action, benefits, and potential side effects.

This category  provides a detailed overview of the most common antidiabetic drugs, categorized by drug class, and outlines their specifications. It includes information such as their mechanism of action, half-life, excretion route, HbA1C reduction, risk of hypoglycemia, body weight effects, cardiovascular benefit/risk, and any additional adverse effects. Additionally, we will explore the different types of anti-diabetic agents, examples of drugs in each category, and brief explanations.

Main Types of Anti-Diabetic Agents

The main classes of anti-diabetic drugs include:

1. Insulin and Insulin Analogues
2. Biguanides (e.g., Metformin)
3. Sulfonylureas (e.g., Glibenclamide)
4. DPP-4 Inhibitors (e.g., Sitagliptin)
5. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (e.g., Liraglutide)
6. SGLT-2 Inhibitors (e.g., Empagliflozin)
7. Thiazolidinediones (e.g., Pioglitazone)
8. Alpha-glucosidase Inhibitors (e.g., Acarbose)
9. Meglitinides (e.g., Repaglinide)