Practical review of oral antihyperglycemic agents for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

This article gives a practical review of the pharmacology, clinical efficacy, safety, dosing, cost, and place in therapy for oral antihyperglycemic agents used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. There are 5 classes of oral antihyperglycemic agents available in the United States: sulfonylurea secretagogues, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, and nonsulfonylurea secretagogues. These agents have distinct characteristics that help in their selection for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.