Type of drug
36
What it does
Generic (Brand Name)
Sulfonylurea (sul-fon-nil-u-ree-a)
helps the pancreas release more insulin
glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase, Glynase) glipizide (Glucotrol or Glucotrol XL) glimepiride (Amaryl)
Meglitinide (me-gli-ti-nide)
helps the pancreas release more insulin
repaglinide (Prandin) nateglinide (Starlix)
Biguanide (bi-gwa-nide)
decreases the liver’s release of stored glucose, which makes it easier for insulin to work
metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Fortamet, Glumetza or Riomet)
Thiazolidinedione (thi-a-zol-i-deen-di-on)
makes the body’s cells more able to use insulin
pioglitazone (Actos) rosiglitazone (Avandia)
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (alfa glu-co-side-ace in-hib-it-or)
slows down the digestion of carbohydrates after a meal
acarbose (Precose) miglitol (Glyset)
DPP-4 inhibitor
helps pancreas make more insulin and slows the release of glucose stored in the liver; decreases rate at which stomach empties at meal; decreases blood glucose
sitagliptin (Januvia) saxagliptin (Onglyza) linagliptin (Tradjenta) alogliptin (Nesina)
Bile Acid Sequestrants
works with other medicines to lower blood glucose
colesevelam (Welchol)
Dopamine Agonist
reduces the amount of glucose released by the liver
bromocriptine (Cycloset)