INTRODUCTION:
These drugs are medicines taken by mouth to reduce blood glucose levels. They are mainly used in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, where the body produces insulin but cannot use it properly. These drugs help control blood sugar and prevent long-term complications of diabetes.
What is Oral Hypoglycemic Therapy?
it refers the use of oral antidiabetic drugs to control blood glucose levels. These drugs are only effective when the patients has sl functional pancreatic beta cells.
Oral Hypoglycemic Drugs Used for type 2 Diabetes Mellitus,Mild to moderate diabetes,Patients not controlled by diet and exercise alone and sometimes used along with insulin.
Classification of Oral Hypoglycemic Drugs:
Sulfonylureas:
Examples: Glibenclamide, Glipizide Increase insulin release from pancreas
Effective in early Type 2 DM
Biguanides:
Example: Metformin First-line drug for Type 2 DM and Reduces glucose production in liver.
Thiazolidinediones:
Examples: Pioglitazone Reduce insulin resistance and Improve insulin sensitivity in tissues.
Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors:
Examples: Acarbose, Miglitol Delay absorption of glucose from intestine
Oral hypoglycemic therapy plays an important role in the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. These drugs act by different mechanisms such as increasing insulin secretion, reducing insulin resistance, and decreasing glucose absorption.
A clear and well structured overview this makes the basics of oral hypoglycemic therapy easy to understand, especially for students and early learners.
Very well explained. Oral hypoglycemics are such a cornerstone in Type 2 diabetes management. Metformin remains the first‑line choice because of its effect on hepatic glucose production, while sulfonylureas carry that risk of hypoglycemia. The newer DPP‑4 inhibitors add value by working through incretin pathways, showing how therapy can be tailored to each patient’s needs.
What a wonderful explanation of the oral hypoglycemics! It is pertinent to mention that the effectiveness of the hypoglycemic agents lies in the presence of functioning beta cells. They are, therefore, ideal for the management of Type 2 patients. The division into sulfonylureas, biguanides, and other types helps to establish which type of hypoglycemic the patient requires in accordance with the patient’s clinical condition. This becomes especially important in the management of patients who are not well controlled with dietary and exercise management. Therefore, the basics need to be grasped to effectively manage the patient’s diabetes and prevent complications.”
Simply altering one’s lifestyle, diet, and the sequence of meals—beginning with a salad, followed by protein, fats, and carbohydrates—can significantly reduce glucose spikes and help prevent or manage diabetes by maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
Recent advances include the development of newer drug classes like SGLT2 inhibitors, which help reduce blood sugar by promoting glucose excretion through urine and also provide cardiovascular and kidney benefits.