Diabetes Medication Information
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| Drug Class | Drug Names | When to take | How it works | Possible Side Effects |
| Sulfonylureas | Diabinese (Chloropropamide) **
Diabeta, Glynase, Micronase (Glyburide) * Glucotrol (Glipizide) ** Glucotrol XL (Glipizide extended release) Amaryl (Glimepiride) ** |
Take with food
Take before a meal Take 30 minutes before a meal May be taken with a meal; do not crush or chew Take before or with meals |
Stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin. | Hypoglycemia(Low blood sugar),
weight gain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, sun sensitivity, skin rash. |
| Biguanides | Glucophage,Glucophage XR
Fortamet Riomet Glumetza (Metformin) * |
Take with food to minimize side effects | Decreases production of glucose by the liver; improves insulin sensitivity in liver, muscle, and fat cells. | Nausea, diarrhea, gas, metallic taste.Comments:
Inform radiologist you are taking this medication for any procedure in which they are going to inject a contrast dye. |
| Drug Class | Drug Names | When To Take It | How it works | Possible Side Effects |
| Thiazolidinediones | Actos(Pioglitazone) ** | Take daily as directed | Improves insulin sensitivity, decreases production of glucose by the liver; takes up to 4-6 weeks for full effect. | Headache, weight gain, edema (swelling). |
| D-Phenylalanine derivatives | Starlix(Nateglinide) ** | Take 1-30 minutes before a meal | Stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin with a meal. | Hypoglycemia, weight gain, headache. |
| Meglitinides | Prandin(Repaglinide) | Take 15 minutes before a meal | Stimulates the pancreas to release more insulin with a meal. | Hypoglycemia, weight gain, headache. |
| Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors | Glycet(Miglitol) | Take with the first bite of each meal | Slows down the digestion of certain carbohydrates in the intestines. | Upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, bloating. |
| DPP4 Inhibitor | Januvia(Sitagliptin phosphate)
Onglyza (Saxagliptin) Tradjenta (linagliptin) Nesina (alogliptin) |
Take once a day with orWithout food | Helps improve levels of insulin made by your body after a meal.Decreases amount of sugar made by your body | Stuffy nose,headache, &
sore throat. |
| Dopamine receptor agonist |
Cyclocet (bromocriptine mesylate) |
Take once daily within 2 hours of waking up. | May reset or alter glucose metabolism in tissue outside the brain by increasing dopamine activity in the brain | Nausea |
| Incretin Mimetics | Byetta
(Exenatide Injection) Bydureon (Exenatide Injection) victosa (Liraglutide) |
·Take injection twice a day
15-60 minutes before breakfast and dinner. Take injection once a week Take injection one time a day |
Slows gastric emptying.Increases basal cell function
Increases satiety |
Nausea &Vomiting. |
| SGLT2 Inhibitor | Invokana(canaglifozin) | Take in the a.m. before your first meal | Lowers renal threshold so there is less glucose reabsorb ion by the kidney and increase glucose excretion in the urine. | .Urinary tract infection
Yeast infection of genitals Hypotension Increase urination |
| Amylin | Symlin(Pramlintide injection) | Take injection 15-60 minutes before a meal or snack of 30 grams or higher of carbohydrate or 300 calories | Slows gastric emptying.Increases satiety | Nausea &Vomiting |
Reviewed/Revised 07/13
Courtesy of the Renown Diabetes Center