Ninety percent of patients with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes.

The cause of type 2 diabetes is complex and involves at least one of the four alterations in glucose metabolism. 1. Lack of insulin production from the beta cells in the pancreas 2. Tissues become resistant to the insulin produced 3. Impaired response of the beta cells in the pancreas to the blood glucose levels. 4. Increased production of glucose from the liver. Below is a table of medications used to treat type 2 diabetes and how they work. Drug Class Sulfonylurea Medications Glucotrol (Glipizide), Glyburide, DiaBeta, Amaryl (Glimperide) Metformin (glucophage) Acarbose (Precose), Migitol (Glyset) Pioglitazone (Actose), Rosiglitazone (Avandia) Mateglinide (starlix), Repaglinide (Prandin) Januvia (Sitagliptin), Onglyza (Saxagliptin) Byetta (exenatide), Victoza ( Liragltide) Function Increases the amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas and improves the binding of insulin to insulin receptors. Increases peripheral glucose uptake and utilization, improves the livers response to blood glucose levels so the liver produces appropriate amounts of glucose, and decreases the absorption of glucose by the intestines. Inhibit the absorption of complex carbohydrates from the small bowel. Improves glycemic control by improving insulin sensitivity. Depends on the presence of insulin for their action. Increases utilization of available insulin by the liver, muscle, and fat cells. Also reduce the amount of glucose produced by the liver. Increases the amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas Improves the effectiveness of insulin secreted by the pancreas in response to meals, and reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver. Improves the effectiveness of insulin secreted by the pancreas in response to meals, and reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver.

Biguanides Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors

Thiazolidinediones

Meglitinides DPP-4 inhibitor Incretins (Non-insulin Injections)