Medication Classes and Their Effects

Medication Classes and Their Effects

Sulfonylureas

  • Mechanism: Stimulate insulin release from the pancreas.
  • Examples: glyburide, Slipizide.
  • Main Side Effects:
    • Hypoglycemia
    • Hyponatremia
    • Blurred vision
    • Hepatotoxicity
    • Abdominal pain
    • Disulfiram reaction (with alcohol)
  • Patient Education/Contraindications/Cautions:
    • (Specifics not provided in this excerpt)

Biguanides

  • Mechanism: Decrease glucose production from the liver.
  • Example: Metformin
  • Main Side Effects:
    • Decrease in Vitamin B12 levels
    • Diarrhea
    • Bloating
  • Can be Extended Release (ER) or Immediate Release (IR).
  • Caution: Hold with IV contrast.
    • Hold 48 hours before and after IV contrast.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors

  • Mechanism: Inhibit carbohydrate digestion.
  • Example: Acarbose
  • Main Side Effects:
    • Gas
    • Bloating

Thiazolidinediones (Glitazones)

  • Mechanism: Decrease insulin resistance.
  • Examples: Pioglitizone (Actos), Rosiglitazone (Avandia)
  • Main Side Effects:
    • Headache
    • Dizziness
    • Edema
    • Weight gain
    • Peripheral edema
    • Arthralgia
    • Myalgia
  • Monitoring: Monitor patients with underlying heart conditions.
    • ♡ pts (Heart Patients)

Meglitinides

  • Mechanism: Stimulate insulin release.
  • Main Side Effects:
    • Hypoglycemia
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
  • Instructions: Need to eat.
    *Additional Side Effects:
    *Arthralgias
    *Myalgias