Glucose Lowering Drugs
| Class | Name pattern (suffix/middle) | Examples | Quick mnemonic | Main MOA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfonylureas (SU) | ββgliββ or ββglyββ + ends ββideβ | glimepiride, gliclazide, glyburide | SUs make you GLeeful (GL in name) | β insulin secretion (Ξ²-cell) |
| Glinides (GLN) | ends ββglinideβ | repaglinide, nateglinide | GLiNides are short & sweet | Rapid β insulin secretion (postprandial) |
| Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGI) | ends ββboseβ | acarbose, miglitol | Bose blocks brush border | β carb absorption in gut |
| Thiazolidinediones (TZD) | ends ββglitazoneβ | pioglitazone, rosiglitazone | GLITtering insulin sensitivity | β insulin sensitivity in fat/muscle |
| DPP-4 inhibitors (DPP4-I) | ends ββgliptinβ | sitagliptin, linagliptin, saxagliptin, alogliptin | Donβt let the GLIP slip | Prevents incretin breakdown |
| SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2-I) | ends ββgliflozinβ | empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, canagliflozin | FLOw glucose out | β urinary glucose excretion |
| GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) | ends ββglutideβ or ββenatideβ | liraglutide, semaglutide, exenatide, dulaglutide | GLUe to the gut | β insulin, β glucagon, slow gastric emptying |
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