| Category |
Action |
Generic Name |
Brand Name |
Manufacturer |
Approval Date |
Comments |
| Sulfonylurea |
Stimulates beta cells to release more insulin |
Chlorpropamide |
Diabinese |
Pfizer |
10/58 |
Generally taken one to two times daily, before meals; can have interactions with other drugs. First generation sulfonylurea (older drug) |
| Glipizide |
Glucotrol |
Pfizer |
5/84 |
Second generation used in smaller doses than first generation. |
| Glyburide |
DiaBeta/Micronase/ |
Pfizer |
5/84 |
| Glimepiride |
Amaryl |
Aventis, Pharmacia and Upjohn |
11/95 |
| Meglitinide |
Works with similar action to sulfonylureas |
Repaglinide |
Prandin |
Novo Nordisk |
12/97 |
Taken before each of three meals |
| Nateglinide |
Works with similar action to sulfonylureas |
Nateglinide |
Starlix |
Novartis |
12/00 |
Taken before each of three meals |
| Biguanide |
Sensitizes the body to the insulin already present |
Metformin |
Glucophage |
Bristol Meyers Squibb |
3/95 |
Taken two times daily with food for best results |
| Metformin (long lasting) |
Glucophage XR |
Bristol Meyers Squibb |
10/00 |
| Metformin with glyburide |
Glucovance |
Bristol Meyers Squibb |
7/00 |
| Thiazolidinedione (Glitazone) |
Helps insulin work better in muscle and fat; lowers insulin resistance |
Rosiglitazone |
Avandia |
SmithKline Beecham (now Glaxo SmithKline) |
5/99 |
Taken once or twice daily with food |
| Pioglitazone |
Actos |
Takeda Pharmaceuticals |
7/99 |
| Alpha-Glucose Inhibitor |
Slows or blocks the breakdown of starches and certain sugars; action slows the rise in blood sugar levels following a meal |
Miglitol |
Glyset |
Phamacia and Upjohn |
12/96 |
Should be take with first bite of meal |