Hypoglycemic drugs
Release time : 09/17/2025 09:30:04
For diabetics, if there is no effective control of blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and other adjunctive treatments, medication for lowering blood sugar levels may be necessary.
However, there are so many medications for lowering blood sugar. Which one is the most suitable for you? Mawang Knowledge Base today will provide knowledge about medications for lowering blood sugar, providing reference for diabetic patients.
What are antihyperglycemic drugs? These are medications used to lower blood sugar levels in the human body.
Individuals with diabetes, after following a diet and exercise regimen to manage their blood glucose levels, may still require medication if the condition is not effectively controlled.
According to the division of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, anti-diabetic drugs can be divided into traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine. Western anti-diabetic drugs are generally divided into oral anti-diabetic drugs and injected anti-diabetic drugs. The classification of anti-diabetic TCM is relatively complex; the simplest one is classified according to the composition of the medicine into mono-formula preparations and compound formula preparations.
It should be noted that traditional Chinese medicine, due to the cumbersome process of collection, storage, and preparation, is more popular among many people than traditional Chinese patent medicines. However, the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine is more ideal.
Patients with diabetes need to choose the appropriate medication for their condition and constitution, which is known as "tailor-made treatment".
During the medication process, not only should we pay attention to the indications and contraindications of various drugs, but also need to control diet and pay more attention to dietary therapy, which can have a good therapeutic effect on relieving the disease.
Additionally, individuals with diabetes must continue taking hypoglycemic drugs throughout their lifetime and avoid neglecting dietary control as a result of medication use.
There are several antihyperglycemic drugs available for oral and parenteral administration.
Currently, the commonly used oral hypoglycemic drugs in China mainly include non-insulin drugs, which are divided into four categories: non-insulin secretagogues (which are further classified into sulfonylureas and non-sulfonylureas), biguanides, α-glucosidase inhibitors, and insulin sensitizers.
Insulin and its analogues are the main type of insulin injection drugs.
1. Sulfonylureas, ranked from strong to weak in terms of blood glucose lowering efficacy are: glimepiride, glipizide, glibenclamide, glimetol.
Additionally, there are also glibenclamide and glimepiride, which need to be chosen based on the patient's condition and constitution.
2. Non-sulfonylureas, commonly used medications include repaglinide.
This medication does not cause severe hypoglycemia and is not detrimental to the liver; it has good tolerance in patients with moderate liver and kidney damage, and has few drug interactions, making it suitable for controlling postprandial blood glucose levels.
3. Diuretics, commonly used medications include metformin (Glucophage, Metformin).
Its hypoglycemic effect is weaker than that of phentermine, but its toxicity is smaller. It has no hypoglycemic effect on healthy individuals.
Compared with sulfonylureas, this compound does not stimulate insulin secretion and thus rarely causes hypoglycemia.
It is the preferred medication for patients with obesity-related non-insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes.
Because it has a large impact on the gastrointestinal tract, it should be taken either during or after meals.
Patients with renal impairment should not be administered.
4. α-Glucosidase inhibitors: commonly used drugs include Glyburide, Acarbose, Voglibose.
5. Insulin Sensitizers, commonly used medications include rosiglitazone and pioglitazone.
Used alone does not cause hypoglycemia; it is frequently used in combination with other oral antidiabetic agents to produce significant synergism.
6. Insulin and its analogues.
Insulin is one of the most effective diabetes treatment drugs and its use ranks first in the global pharmaceutical market for diabetes.
Which Chinese medicines can lower blood sugar? There are a variety of Chinese medicines that can help lower blood sugar. The simplest classification is based on the composition of the medicine, which can be divided into single-ingredient preparations and compound preparations.
Single-dose formulations include: 1. Astragalus: Astragalus polysaccharides have a bidirectional effect on blood sugar regulation.
Commonly used in clinical practice is Astragalus, in combination with Yin-nourishing herbs such as Rehmannia glutinosa, Scrophularia nodosa, and Ophiopogon japonicus to treat diabetes.
2. Coptis chinensis: The decoction has a hypoglycemic effect.
Berberine (aconitine) from the whole drug of Coptis chinensis has been proved to be able to reduce weight, improve glucose tolerance and increase fat burning.
3. Polygonatum: It has a significant effect in reducing blood sugar levels.
4. Rehmannia (including raw and cooked): It has the effect of reducing blood sugar and improving abnormal lipids.
In clinical applications for diabetes, Rehmannia glutinosa is often used in combination with Asparagus cochinchinensis, Lycium barbarum, and other ingredients.
5. Ginseng: The polysaccharides in ginseng have a hypoglycemic effect.
Ginseng can also enhance the effect of insulin on sugar metabolism.
For mild diabetes, ginseng can be used in combination with rehmannia, and the daily dosage of ginseng is 3-9 grams.
6. Chinese Yam: It can significantly reduce blood sugar levels in experimental mice and can effectively counteract the rise in blood sugar.
7. Strophanthus sampsonii: It has the effects of reducing blood sugar and increasing weight, and promotes proliferation of pancreatic islets and beta cell hyperplasia.
8. Ophiopogon Japonicus: Can lower blood sugar, and promote the recovery of pancreas cells, increase hepatic glycogen.
Single herbs with anti-diabetic effects include not only Pueraria but also Lycium, Lycium Barbarum, Cornus officinalis, Poria, Polygonatum, Spatholobus, Mulberry Bark, Mulberry Seed, Cuscuta, Radix Rehmanniae, Salvia Miltiorrhiza, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Dictamnus danshen, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Prunella vulgaris, Pollen, and Cinnamon.
Moreover, traditional Chinese compound preparations have been around since ancient times, with an abundance of formulae that are astonishing.
Below are some options for reference.
What is Er Dong Tang?
Astragalus membranaceus and Polygonatum odoratum each weigh 6 grams, pollen, scutellaria baicalensis, anemarrhena asphodeloides, aconitum carmichaelii, and lotus leaf each weigh 3 grams, ginseng and licorice each weigh 1.5 grams.
Take orally, one dose daily.
This is suitable for diabetes mellitus with Qi and Yin deficiency.
2. Goji Soup.
30 grams of goji berries, 9 grams each of platycladus root, gypsum (to be decocted first), and coptis, along with 6 grams of licorice, decocted in water.
Applicable for diabetes mellitus characterized by yin deficiency and heat.
3. For the treatment of persistent thirst without stopping: Prepare a decoction with Ephedra (Mahuang) in a ratio of four grams each and Mirabilite (Mangxiong) in a ratio of one ounce each. Boil these two ingredients together in three liters of water until reduced to one liter. Strain out the residues, add Mirabilite, and continue boiling until it reaches a slight boil. Consume in small amounts.
90 grams of reed grass (dried) and 45 grams of Sophora flavescens are mixed into a powder, which is then made into a decoction with milk for administration.
Applicable for diabetes and individuals with dry mouth and polydipsia.
Which is the best drug for lowering blood sugar? Through our analysis, we understand that there are many types of drugs for lowering blood sugar, including oral medications, injections, and traditional Chinese medicine formulations. So which is the best drug for lowering blood sugar? In fact, the drug that is suitable for one's condition is the best.
Particularly in diabetes, medication usage is tailored to individual needs. Everyone should use medication according to their actual situation and conditions reasonably.
The currently commonly used oral hypoglycemic drugs include sulfonylureas, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and thiazolidinediones, etc.
Furthermore, new antidiabetic drugs such as sulfonylureas like sitagliptin and vigliztin have also been used in clinical practice.
Each type of hypoglycemic drug has its corresponding target population, and patients need to thoroughly understand before selecting the appropriate medication to take.
1. Sulfonylureas are suitable for patients with high blood glucose levels after lifestyle intervention or when added to metformin.
2. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are used in patients with type 2 diabetes who have not achieved adequate glycemic control despite diet and exercise alone.
3. α-glucosidase inhibitors are primarily used for individuals with postprandial hyperglycemia.
4. Gestational diabetes, suitable for obese patients.
5. SGLT2 inhibitors such as sitagliptin and vildagliptin are suitable for patients with short disease duration and relatively low blood sugar levels.
Additionally, regarding the therapeutic efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine in lowering blood sugar levels, the effects can vary from individual to individual.
Many traditional Chinese medicines still require the use of Western medicine for treatment, as they are more gentle in nature, focusing on overall conditioning and balance.
Some traditional Chinese medicines for blood sugar reduction contain pharmaceutical ingredients, and prolonged use may harm the liver and kidneys. Therefore, they should be used under the guidance of a physician according to their individual conditions.
When should medication for lowering blood sugar be taken? There are many medications for diabetes, and their dosages vary. Additionally, the timing of administration is important.
1. The hypoglycemic drugs taken on an empty stomach in the morning include insulin sensitizers such as rosiglitazone and pioglitazone.
Due to the long duration of action of these hypoglycemic drugs, they are only required to be taken once daily. Taking them before breakfast is even better for effectiveness.
2. Drugs for diabetes reduction before meals.
(1) The hypoglycemic medication that must be taken three十分钟 before meals, such as sulfonylureas, including glipizide, glimepiride, glipizide, glimepiride and so on.
The drugs need half an hour to take effect, and the peak of blood glucose reducing action is usually 2-3 hours after taking the drug.
Therefore, if you are to take these medications, it is recommended that you take them 20-30 minutes before meals.
(2) Drugs for blood sugar reduction that must be taken 5 to 20 minutes before meals: non-sulfonylureas, including nateglinide and glimepiride.
These hypoglycemic drugs have short durations of action, and administration 30 minutes before meals or after meals may cause hypoglycemia. Therefore, they should be taken 5-20 minutes before meals.
Taking it before or after meals can both cause hypoglycemia.
3. Drugs for diabetes that need to be taken concurrently with the first meal.
This type of medication, besides being taken with the first meal, needs to be chewed, for example, acarbose (trade name "Byetta").
If taken before or after meals, the effect is not optimal.
4. Postprandial administration of antidiabetic drugs, including Metformin derivatives.
The reason these drugs need to be taken with food is primarily to prevent the adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
How to choose hypoglycemic drugs? There are many kinds of hypoglycemic drugs on the market today. So, how should patients with diabetes choose their medications? Experts suggest that choosing a hypoglycemic drug should consider multiple factors such as the type of diabetes, the type of hyperglycemia, the patient's body shape, age, and whether they have other diseases.
1. Type 1 diabetes patients must use insulin for life.
2. Type 2 diabetes patients, most of them use oral hypoglycemic drugs.
3. When dietary management, exercise, and oral hypoglycemic drugs fail to effectively control blood sugar levels, insulin therapy may be combined.
4. Insulin therapy should be used in diabetic patients with severe complications or in stressful states.
5. If postprandial hyperglycemia is the only issue, α-glucosidase inhibitors should be chosen as the first choice.
6. If both pre-meal and post-meal blood glucose levels are elevated, but the elevation is primarily post-meal, sulfonylureas should be selected as the first-line therapy.
7. For individuals with significantly elevated fasting blood glucose levels, consideration should be given to the use of sulfonylureas, biguanides, or insulin sensitizers.
8. For patients with diabetes who are overweight, the first-choice treatment should be either a biguanide or an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor.
These medications have the effect of reducing weight, and considering that obese individuals often suffer from insulin resistance, insulin-sensitizing agents can be used in combination to improve insulin resistance without increasing weight.
8. Elderly patients, who cannot tolerate hypoglycemia, should not choose long-acting or potent antidiabetic drugs but should opt for those with a therapeutic effect that matches their conditions.
9. Currently, only insulin and Metformin are approved for use in pediatric patients.
Additionally, when selecting anti-diabetic medication, one should consider the patient's other chronic diseases to prevent exacerbation of side effects from the anti-diabetic medication on other conditions.
The medical information presented in this text is for reference only.
In case of discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on the clinical examination conducted by a doctor in person.