Antidiabetic Agents

Updated on

May 4, 2024

Share this guide

Facebook WhatsApp Pinterest Email Copy Print

Contents

Antidiabetic drugs are a group of drug structurally unrelated to sulfonylureas and are effective when used in combination with insulin or sulfonylureas. These drugs include alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, biguanides, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, human amylin, incretin mimetics, meglitinides, and thiazolidinediones.

Antidiabetic Agents: Generic and Brand Names

Here is a table of commonly encountered other antidiabetic agents, their generic names, and brand names:

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
- acarbose miglitol (Precose, Glyset)
Biguanides
- metformin (Glucophage)
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4-inhibitors
- linagliptin (Tradjenta)
- saxagliptin (Onglyza)
- sitagliptin (Januvia)
Human amilyn
- pramlintide acetate (Symlin)
Incretin mimetics
- exanatide (Baraclude)
- liraglutide (Victoza)
Meglitinides
- nateglinide (Starlix)
- repaglinide (Prandin)
Thiozolidinediones
- pioglitazone (Actos)
- rosiglitazone (Avandia)

Therapeutic Action

The desired and beneficial action of other antidiabetic agents:

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors acarbose and miglitol inhibit alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that breaks down glucose for absorption. Therefore, they delay the absorption of glucose. They have only a mild effect on glucose levels and do not enhance insulin secretion. They are associated with severe hepatic toxicity and GI distress.
Biguanide metformin decrease the production and increases the uptake of glucose. It is effective in lowering blood glucose and does not cause hypoglycemia as the sulfonylureas do. It has been associated with development of lactic acidosis and GI distress.
Meglitinides nateglinide and repaglinide are newer agents that act like sulfonylureas to increase insulin release.
Synthetic human amylin pramlintide works to modulate gastric emptying after a meal to cause a feeling of fullness or satiety. It also prevents the postmeal rise in glucagon that usually elevates glucose levels. Human amylin is a hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas that is important in regulating postmeal glucose levels. It should not be used when patient is unable to eat.
Incretin mimetics exenatide and liraglutide mimic the effects of GLP-1: enhancement of glucose-dependent insulin secretion by the beta cells in the pancreas, depression of elevated glucagon secretion, and slowed gastric emptying to help moderate and lower blood glucose levels.
DPP-4 inhibitors lina-, saxa-, and sitagliptin slow the breakdown of GLP-1 to prolong the effects of increased insulin secretion, decreased glucagon secretion, and slowed GI emptying.
Thiazolidinediones pioglitazone and rosiglitazone decrease insulin resistance.

Indications

Other antidiabetic agents are indicated for the following medical conditions:

Biguanide metformin is approved for use in children 10 years of age and older. It is also being used in the treatment of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Meglitinides nateglinide and repaglinide are used to lower postprandial glucose levels because they are rapid-acting and with a very short half-life. They are taken just before meals.
Thiazolidinediones pioglitazone and rosiglitazone are used in combination with insulin, metformin, and sulfonylureas in patients with insulin resistance.
Bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist used to treat Parkinson’s disease was approved in 2009 as a CNS approach to treat type 2 diabetes.

Pharmacokinetics

Here are the characteristic interactions of other antidiabetic agents and the body in terms of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion:

Route	Onset	Peak	Duration
Oral	Slow	2-2.5 h	10-16 h

Half-life (T1/2)	Metabolism	Excretion
6.2 h and then 17 h	liver	urine

Contraindications and Cautions

The following are contraindications and cautions for the use of agents to control blood glucose level:

Allergy to sulfonylureas and other antidiabetic agents. Avoid hypersensitivity reactions
Type 1 diabetes. These patients do not have functioning beta cells and would have no benefit from the drug.
Pregnancy and lactation. Potential adverse effect on the fetus or neonate.

Adverse Effects

Use of other antidiabetic agents may result to these adverse effects:

Common adverse effects include hypoglycemia, lactic acidosis, GI upset, nausea, anorexia, diarrhea, heartburn, and allergic skin reaction.
Pioglitazone is strongly linked with an increased risk of bladder cancer if it is used for over 1 year.
Rosiglitazone is linked with increased risk of cardiovascular problems.

Interactions

The following are drug-drug interactions involved in the use of other antidiabetic agents:

decreased excretion with drugs that acidify urine

Nursing Considerations

Nursing considerations are the same with sulfonylureas.

Recommended Resources

Our recommended nursing pharmacology resources and books:

Disclosure: Included below are affiliate links from Amazon at no additional cost from you. We may earn a small commission from your purchase which will help support us. Thank you! For more information, check out our privacy policy.

Pharm Phlash! Pharmacology Flash Cards
Pocket-size flash cards covering drug classes, actions, side effects, and nursing considerations. The 2023 edition is handy for quick review between classes and clinicals.

Karch’s Focus on Nursing Pharmacology
The 2026 edition of this easy-to-follow nursing pharmacology text, organized by body system with a focus on safe medication administration and client teaching.

Pharmacology Made Incredibly Easy!
The 2026 edition of the Incredibly Easy! series breaks down drug classes with cartoons, memory aids, and quick-review checkpoints.

Lehne’s Pharmacology for Nursing Care
A comprehensive pharmacology text (2024 edition) that explains how drugs work and connects each drug class to nursing implications and client safety.

Nursing2027-2028 Drug Handbook
The newest edition of the Nursing Drug Handbook, with up-to-date monographs on dosing, adverse reactions, and nursing considerations for thousands of drugs.

Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses
The 2026 edition of this trusted drug reference, with clear monographs, high-alert warnings, and client teaching points for each medication.

Mosby’s Pharmacology Memory NoteCards
Visual, mnemonic, and memory aids for nursing pharmacology (2024 edition). Great for remembering drug classes and key side effects for exams and the NCLEX.

References and Sources

References and sources for this pharmacology guide for Antidiabetic Agents:

Karch, A. M., & Karch. (2011). Focus on nursing pharmacology. Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. [Link]
Katzung, B. G. (2017). Basic and clinical pharmacology. McGraw-Hill Education.
Lehne, R. A., Moore, L. A., Crosby, L. J., & Hamilton, D. B. (2004). Pharmacology for nursing care.
Smeltzer, S. C., & Bare, B. G. (1992). Brunner & Suddarth’s textbook of medical-surgical nursing. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott.

Share this guide

Facebook WhatsApp Pinterest Email Copy Print

About the Author

Iris Dawn Tabangcora, RN

Iris Dawn is a nurse writer in her 20s who is on the constant lookout for latest stories about Science. Her interests include Research and Medical-Surgical Nursing. She is currently furthering her studies and is seriously considering being a student as her profession. Life is spoiling her with spaghetti, acoustic playlists, libraries, and the beach.