Topic Overview

Sulfonylureas help the pancreas make and/or release insulin.

• Chlorpropamide (Diabinese)
• Glimepiride (Amaryl)
• Glipizide (Glucotrol)
• Glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase, Micronase)
• Tolbutamide
• Tolazamide

Meglitinides help the pancreas make insulin.

• Nateglinide (Starlix).
• Repaglinide (Prandin).

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors lower your blood sugar by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates.

• Acarbose (Precose)
• Miglitol (Glyset)

You are less likely to develop low blood sugar levels if you are taking:

• DPP-4 inhibitors such as sitagliptin (Januvia) or saxagliptin (Onglyza) help the body make and/or release insulin.
• Metformin (Glucophage).
• Thiazolidinediones such as pioglitazone (Actos) or rosiglitazone (Avandia).