What Types of Diabetes Pills Are Available?
Diabetes pills are grouped in categories based on type. There are several categories of diabetes pills — each works differently. • Sulfonylureas. These diabetes pills lower blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. The first drugs of this type that were developed — Dymelor, Diabinese, Orinase and Tolinase — are not as widely used since they tend to be less potent and shorter-acting drugs than the newer sulfonylureas. They include Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL, DiaBeta, Micronase, Glynase PresTab, and Amaryl. These drugs can cause a decrease in the hemoglobin A1c ( HbA1c) of up to 1%-2%. • Biguanides. These diabetes pills improve insulin’s ability to move sugar into cells especially into the muscle cells. They also prevent the liver from releasing stored sugar. Biguanides should not be used in people who have kidney damage or heart failure because of the risk of precipitating a severe build up of acid (called lactic acidosis) in these patients. Biguanides can decreas
