Sulfonylureas
| These medications stimulate the body to secrete more insulin.
| Fast-acting.
| Low blood sugar, upset stomach, skin rashes, and weigh gain.
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Meglitinides
| These medications stimulate the body to secrete more insulin.
| They are fast-acting, but the duration of their effect in the body is shorter. They are fast-acting. They only stimulate insulin secretion when blood sugar levels are elevated.
| Low blood sugar.
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Biguanides
| These medications prevent the production of glucose in the liver and improve tissue sensitivity to insulin.
| They can cause weight loss and slightly reduce harmful cholesterol and triglycerides.
| Metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, bloating, loss of appetite, skin rashes, and in some cases, harmful lactic acid buildup.
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Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
| These medications act by slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates.
| They do not result in weight gain.
| Upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea.
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Thiazolidinediones
| These medications improve the patient’s sensitivity to insulin and protect the cells that secrete insulin.
| They reduce blood pressure and triglycerides.
| Fluid retention, weight gain, vision problems, chest pain, increased risk of congestive heart failure for certain patients, as well as bladder cancer, etc.
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Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitors)
| These medications help stimulate insulin production and reduce the amount of glucose being produced by the liver.
| They do not cause weight gain or low blood sugar.
| Upset stomach, diarrhea, sore throat, upper respiratory infection, skin rashes, and pancreatitis.
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