Oral hypoglycemic agent
Oral Hypoglycemic Agent
Oral hypoglycemic agents or oral antihyperglycemic agents are medications used to lower blood glucose levels in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. They are administered orally, as opposed to insulin which is typically given by injection.
Pronunciation
Oral hypoglycemic agent: /ˈɔːrəl/ /ˌhaɪpoʊɡlaɪˈsiːmɪk/ /ˈeɪdʒənt/
Etymology
The term "oral hypoglycemic agent" is derived from the Greek words "hypo" meaning under, "glykys" meaning sweet, and "haima" meaning blood. The term "agent" is derived from the Latin word "agens" meaning doing.
Types of Oral Hypoglycemic Agents
There are several classes of oral hypoglycemic agents, including:
- Sulfonylureas
- Biguanides
- Thiazolidinediones
- Meglitinides
- Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
- DPP-4 inhibitors
- SGLT2 inhibitors
Each class works in a different way to lower blood glucose levels and may have different side effects.
Related Terms
- Hypoglycemia: A condition characterized by an abnormally low level of blood sugar (glucose), your body's main energy source.
- Hyperglycemia: A condition characterized by an excessively high level of blood sugar (glucose).
- Glycemic index: A value assigned to foods based on how slowly or how quickly those foods cause increases in blood glucose levels.
- Insulin resistance: A condition in which the body's cells become resistant to the effects of insulin.
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