Oral Hypoglycemic Agents

Abstract

ORAL hypoglycemic agents are commonly prescribed drugs. In the United States they account for about 1 percent of all prescriptions.¹ This review discusses the pharmacology, mechanisms of action, efficacy, safety, and recommended use of currently approved agents, as well as other agents that may become available in the near future.BackgroundDiabetes mellitus affects nearly 15 million people in the United States. About 15 percent have insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), which is believed to be caused by the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islet beta cells.² In such patients, insulin therapy is essential for life. About 80 percent of patients have non-insulin-dependent . . .