ANTIDIABETIC DRUGS (April 2017)
Class Generic name (brand name) Mechanism of action
Gliclazide (Diamicron®)
Gliclazide (Diamicron® MR)
Sulfonylureas
Glimepiride (Amaryl®)
Glyburide (Diaβeta®)
Nateglinide (Starlix®)
Meglitinides Repaglinide (GlucoNorm®)
Metformine (Glucophage®)
Biguanides Metformine extended-release
(Glumetza®)
Pioglitazone (Actos®)
Thiazolidinediones (TZD)
Rosiglitazone (Avandia®)
Alpha-glucosidases Acarbose (Glucobay®)
inhibitor
Linagliptine(Trajenta®)
Dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 Saxagliptine (OnglyzaMC)
(DPP-4) inhibitors Sitagliptine (Januvia®)
Alogliptine (Nesina®)
Exenatide (Byetta®)
Exenatide extended-release
(Bydureon®)
Glucagon-like peptide-1
(GLP-1) agonist Liraglutide (Victoza®)
Dulaglutide (Trulicity®)
Sodium glucose Canaglifozine (Invokana®)
cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) Dapagliflozine (Forxiga®)
inhibitors Empagliflozine (Jardiance®)
The following pills combine 2 classes of antidiabetic drugs:
 Thiazolidinedione + biguanide (Avandamet®)
 DPP-4 inhibitors + biguanide (Janumet®, Janumet®XR, JentaduetoMC KomboglyzeMC)
 SGLT2 inhibitor + biguanide (Xigduo®, Invokamet®, Synjardy®)
 DPP-4 inhibitor + SGLT2 inhibitor (GlyxambiMC)
When to take it
Stimulate the pancreas to
produce more insulin
Stimulate the pancreas to
produce more insulin
Reduce the production of
glucose by the liver
Increase insulin sensitivity of the
body cells and reduce the
production of glucose by the liver
Slow the absorption of
carbohydrates (sugar) ingested
Intensify the effect of intestinal
hormones (incretines) involved
in the control of blood sugar
Mimic the effect of certain
intestinal hormones (incretines)
involved in the control of blood
sugar
Help eliminate glucose in the
urine
Adverse effects
Before meals (≤ 30 minutes);
Do not take at bedtime
Hypoglycemia
(low blood sugar)
For Diamicron® MR ONLY :
Take at breakfast
Before meals (≤ 15 minutes); Hypoglycemia
Do not take at bedtime (low blood sugar)
During meals
Diarrhea, metallic aftertaste,
nausea
At dinner
 Swelling due to water retention,
weight gain
 Pioglitazone : inscreased risk of
With or without food, at the bladder cancer (Health Canada
same time each day restriction)
 Rosiglitazone : increased risk of
non-fatal heart attack (Health
Canada restriction)
With the first mouthful of a meal Bloating and flatulence (gaz)
With or without food, at the
Pharyngitis, headache
same time each day
Injection to take 0 to 60 minutes
before breakfast or dinner
Injection once a week, the same
day, any hour of the day, with or
without food
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting
Injection to take with or without
food, at the same time each day
Injection once a week, the same
day, any hour of the day, with or
without food
Before the first meal of the day
Genital and urinary infections,
Any time of day, with or without
more frequent urination
food