Table 1.
Convenience of antidiabetic therapies
| Treatment | Site of action | Body weight | Hypoglycemia in monotherapy | Long-term efficacy | Gastrointestinal side effects | Safety (related diseases) | Mean reduction in HbA1c a |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acarbose | CH-digestive enzymes Small intestine |
−(↓) | − | + | + | − | −1% |
| Sulfonylureas | Beta cells | ↑ | ↑ | − | − | + | −1.25% |
| Glinides | Beta cells | ↑ | ↑ | − | − | ? | −0.75% |
| Metformin | Sensitivity to insulin Liver, peripheral tissues |
− | − | − | + | − | −1% |
| Gliptines | DPP-4 enzymes Plasma, peripheral tissues |
−(↓) | − | ? | (+) | (+) | −0.75% |
| Pioglitazone | PPAR-gamma receptor Cell nucleus |
↑ | − | (+) | − | + | −1% |
Note:
a
According to Sherifali et al.71
Abbreviations: CH, carbohydrate; PPAR, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor; DPP-4, dipeptidyl peptidase 4.