Anti-diabetic drug
An
anti-diabetic drug is used to treat
diabetes mellitus. They usually work by lowering the
glucose levels in the blood. There are different types of anti-diabetic drugs, and their use depends on the nature of the diabetes, age and situation of the person, as well as other factors.
Insulin
\nInsulin is normally released when blood sugar is high, and causes cells to store glucose away, thereby reducing levels in the blood.
In type I diabetes, insulin production is impaired. Giving insulin to reduce blood sugar levels to normal will help these people.
In type II diabetes, it is the receptorss for insulin that are not effective. Insulin levels in these people will probably already be high, although in some cases giving insulin by injection can be helpful.
Sulfonylurea drugs
\nSulfonylureas are oral hypoglycaemic agents. They bind strongly to plasma proteins. Sulfonylureas are only useful in type II diabetes, as they work by stimulating endogenous release of insulin.
They work best with patients over 40 years old, who have had diabetes mellitus for under ten years. It should not be used with type I diabetes, or diabetes of pregnancy. They can be safely used with biguanides and glitazones.
The toxicity of these drugs is relatively low.
Biguanide drugs
\nBiguanides work by increasing glucose uptake in the muscle, and decreasing glucose production in the liver.
They can also be taken orally, but do not bind to plasma proteins, and have a very short half-life.
Glitazones
\nThiazolidinediones (or "glitazones") decrease insulin resistance by activating PPARs. The glitazones are:\n*pioglitazone (Actos®)\n*rosiglitazone (Avandia®)\n*troglitazone - the first glitazone. It is now withdrawn from the market due to increased incidence of drug-induced hepatitis.
Alpha-glucosidases inhibitors
\n*acarbose
Use of glucagon for treatment
Miscellaneous
\n* Repaglinide - insulin secretalogue
Category:Endocrinology \nCategory:Pharmacologic agents\nCategory:Anti-diabetic drugs
