title: Oral antihyperglycemic therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that is growing in prevalence worldwide. Pharmacologic therapy is often necessary to achieve optimal glycemic control in the management of diabetes. Orally administered antihyperglycemic agents (OHAs) can be used either alone or in combination with other OHAs or insulin. The number of available OHAs has increased significantly in the last decade, which translates into more therapeutic options and complex decision-making for physicians. This review article is designed to help with these decisions. We review the mechanism of action, efficacy and side effects of the different classes of OHAs (alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, biguanides, insulin secretagogues, insulin sensitizers and intestinal lipase inhibitor) and discuss the current recommendations for their use.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Alice Y Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: I George
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Fantus
mesh_terms: D020909:Acarbose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000284:Administration, Oral; D001645:Biguanides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008049:Lipase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001645:Biguanides; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; D008049:Lipase; D020909:Acarbose