Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a prevalent disease and concern worldwide. Along with its associated side effects, diabetes remains the seventh leading cause of mortality in the United States.
Given its heavy prevalence, the chances that you’ll encounter a diabetic patient in your exam chair are extremely high, regardless of the demographic or population of the area you practice in. Here is a summary of common drugs you will encounter with your diabetic patients.
Your knowledge of these agents, even when your patients forget what drugs they're taking, will not only solidify your skills as a clinician but will also help build better rapport with your patients.
| Class |
Drugs |
Mechanism of action |
HbA1c reduction |
| Biguanide |
Metformin |
Insulin Sensitizer |
1-2% |
| Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor |
Sitagliptin Saxagliptin Vildagliptin Linagliptin Alogliptin |
Inhibits degradation of GLP |
0.5-0.8% |
| Sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitor |
Canagliflozin Dapagliflozin Empagliflozin |
Blocks glucose reabsorption in renal PCT |
N/A |
| Insulin |
Humulin R Novolin R NPH Insulin glargine Insulin detemir Insulin degludec Humalog Novolog Glulisine |
Activation of insulin receptors and downstream signaling in multiple sensitive tissues |
1-2% |
| Glucagon-like peptide (GLP) -1 agonist |
Liraglutide Exenatide Dulaglutide |
Activation of CLP1 receptor leading to increased insulin secretion, decreased glucon, and increased satiety |
0.5%-1.5% |
| Sulfonylurea |
Glimepiride Glipizide Glyburide |
Insulin secretion |
1-2% |
| Thiazolidinedione |
Pioglitazone Rosiglitazone |
Insulin sensitizer |
0.5-1.4% |
Though this is not an exhaustive list of all the drugs used for diabetes, it can be used as a quick reference for most commonly prescribed drugs. Knowledge of these drugs can give you a better understanding of the patient’s course of disease as well as efficacy of blood sugar control.
~ Dr. Amadian