Table 1.

Advantages and disadvantages of diabetes medicines

Class of Medications	Example	Advantages	Disadvantages	Mechanism of action	References
Biguanidas	Metformin (Glucophag)	Reducing hepatic glucose, fasting glycemia, Hemoglobin A1C	Weight loss Anorexia Nausea Abdominal discomfort Diarrhea	Reducing hepatic glucose output through inhibition of gluconeogenesis	(19, 21-24)
Sulfonylures	Glibenclamie (Daonil), Gliclazide (Glizid(	Secreting insulin Decreasing glycemia, Hemoglobin A1C	Weight gain Hypoglycemia	Increasing insulin secretion regulated by ATP-sensitive potassium channels	(19, 22, 24, 25)
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs)	Glitazones, Pioglitazone	Using glucose by increasing the insulin sensitivity in muscle, fat, and liver tissues	Weight gain Fluid retention with peripheral edema, risk for congestive heart failure	Increasing insulin sensitivity by binding to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, improving blood glucose levels by preserving pancreatic beta-cell function	(19, 22, 26, 27)
Insulin		Decreasing hemogolobin A1C, Effects on triacylglycerol and HDL cholesterol levels	Weight gain Hypoglycemia Interactions with other medications, Cardiovascular disease	Reducing glucose concentration by increasing glucose uptake or reducing glucose production	(22, 28-31)