The table below summarizes important information about the most commonly prescribed oral diabetes drugs. To read the details, including references to the studies documenting the information summarized below, click
| Drug | Mechanism | Benefits | Side Effects | Rating |
| Glucophage, Glucophage XR (Metformin, Metformin ER) | Keeps liver from dumping glucose. Makes muscles take up glucose. | Reduces insulin resistance and lowers triglycerides. | Gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea. May cause Vitamin-B12 deficiency with long use. Fewer side effects with ER/XR extended release form. | +++++ |
| Avandia, (rosiglitazone) Avandamet (Avandamet is Avandia combined with metformin) | Affects PPAR-gamma receptor Grows new fat cells that take up glucose. | Reduces insulin resistance. | 66% more heart attacks. Causes water retention. Causes weight gain. Causes heart failure. Causes osteoporosis. Causes macular edema | ----- |
| Actos (pioglitazone) | Same as Avandia | Reduces insulin resistance | From Prescribing Information: "In postmarketing experience with ACTOS, cases of congestive heart failure have been reported in patients both with and without previously known heart disease....In postmarketing experience with ACTOS, reports of hepatitis and of hepatic enzyme elevations to 3 or more times the upper limit of normal have been received. Very rarely, these reports have involved hepatic failure with and without fatal outcome"Macular edema. Weight gain. Ovulation in premenopausal women. Raises LDL. | ----- |
| Precose (acarbose) | Blocks alpha glucosidase enzyme used to break down starches and complex sugars | Slows the digestion of carbs so that second phase insulin can deal with them | Gas | +++ |
| Amaryl (glimipiride) | Sulfonylurea. Stimulates beta cell to secrete insulin whether or not glucose is present in bloodstream | Raises insulin level | Can cause hypos. Causes hunger and weight gain May cause beta cell burnout. May raise risk of heart attack | - |
| Micronase, Diabeta, Glucovance (Glucovance is gliburide with added metformin) (glyburide/Glibenclamide ) | Same as Amaryl | Raises insulin level | Also stimulates receptor on heart tissue leading to higher rate of heart attacks | --- |
| Starlix (natalinide) | Meglitinide. Stimulates beta cell to secrete insulin whether or not glucose is present in bloodstream for a brief period | Raises insulin level for a short time | Can cause hypos. Causes weight gain. Upper respiratory infection, back pain, flu symptoms, dizziness, joint problems. | - |
| Prandin (repaglinide) | Meglitinide. Stimulates beta cell to secrete insulin whether or not glucose is present in bloodstream for a brief period | Raises insulin level for a short time | Can cause hypos. Causes weight gain. Changes concentration of many other drugs including birth control pills in the bloodstream. May cause heart attacks. Upper respiratory infection, back pain, flu symptoms, dizziness, joint problems. Much worse safety profile than Starlix for similar effect. | - |
| Byetta (exenatide) | Synthetic GLP-1 | Slows stomach emptying, which can lead to weight loss. Stimulates insulin secretion in intact beta cells | Vomiting. Nausea. Chills. Headache. Weakness. Blood pressure fluctuations. Tooth pain. Constipation. Nasal congestion. Too new for all side effects to be known | ++ |
| Januvia (sitagliptin) | Inhibits the DPP-4 protease which is used throughout the body | Stimulates insulin secretion in intact beta cells. | Cold symptoms, raised blood pressure,constipation. Elevated leucocyte count. Other side effects caused by DPP-4 inhibition are unknown and have not been studied. DPP-4 may play an important part in fighting melanoma and prostate cancer. | ? |
