Hypoglycemic Agents

Hypoglycemic agents are medications used to lower blood glucose levels in people with diabetes or other conditions that cause high blood sugar.

Types of Hypoglycemic Agents

• Sulfonylureas: Stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin, such as glipizide (Glucotrol) and glyburide (DiaBeta).
• Biguanides: Decrease glucose production in the liver and increase insulin sensitivity, such as metformin (Glucophage).
• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: Delay carbohydrate absorption in the gut, such as acarbose (Precose) and miglitol (Glyset).
• Thiazolidinediones: Increase insulin sensitivity, such as pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia).
• DPP-4 inhibitors: Increase insulin release and decrease glucose production in the liver, such as sitagliptin (Januvia) and saxagliptin (Onglyza).
• GLP-1 receptor agonists: Stimulate insulin release and decrease glucose production in the liver, such as exenatide (Byetta) and liraglutide (Victoza).
• SGLT2 inhibitors: Decrease glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, such as canagliflozin (Invokana) and empagliflozin (Jardiance).

Indications

Hypoglycemic agents are used to treat:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Predabetes
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Insulin resistance

Administration and Dosage

The administration and dosage of hypoglycemic agents vary depending on the specific medication, patient's condition, and response to treatment.

• Oral medications: Taken by mouth, usually once or twice a day.
• Injectable medications: Administered via injection, usually once or twice a day.

Side Effects and Interactions

Hypoglycemic agents can cause side effects, such as:

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Dizziness

Interactions with other medications, such as:

• Beta-blockers
• Warfarin
• Aspirin

Monitoring and Follow-up

Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels, kidney function, and liver function is necessary to adjust the dosage and prevent side effects.

• Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) tests
• Postprandial glucose (PPG) tests
• Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) tests

Patient Education

Patient education on proper use, dosage, and potential side effects of hypoglycemic agents is essential to ensure safe and effective treatment.