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Classes of Oral Medications for Type 2 Diabetes

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The increase in oral medications for type 2 diabetes in recent years has led to a need for differentiation. These drugs are often now classified according to their primary method of action. The following table lists the diabetes pills currently available in the US.

Diabetes Pills at a Glance

Class	Method of Action	Generic Name / Brand Name
Sulfonylureas	Stimulates release of insulin from pancreas.	acetohexamide / Dymelor chlorpropamide / Diabinese glimeprimide / Amaryl glipizide / Glucotrol glyburide / DiaBeta, Glynase, Micronase tolazamide / Tolinase tolbutamide / Orinase
Biguanides	Inhibits release of glucose from liver.	metformin / Glucophage
Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors	Slows digestion and absorption or carbohydrates from intestines.	acarbose / Precose miglitol / Glyset
Thiazolidinediones	Increases sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin.	(troglitazone /Rezulin) Discontinued rosiglitazone / Avandia pioglitazone / Actos
Meglitinides	Stimulates release of insulin from pancreas.	repaglinide / Prandin

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