Clinical Pharmacology of Oral Antidiabetic Agents

Abstract

The oral hypoglycemic agents available in the United States (Fig. 1) include the sulfonylureas tolbutamide (Orinase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), acetohexamide (Dymelor), tolazamide (Tolinase) and the biguanide phenformin hydrochloride (DBI, DBI-TD).Since the clinical introduction of oral hypoglycemic agents 20 years ago, a large number of diabetic patients have been treated with these drugs, and much animal experimentation has been carried out. With the publication of the results of the controversial University Group Diabetes Program (UGDP), questions have been raised regarding the use of oral hypoglycemic agents. This review will in part address itself to this problem.Sulfonylureas and PhenforminPharmacology Absorption . . .