Selecting a Treatment Regimen
Table 10. Diabetes Drug Properties (continued) Agent TZDs
Durability
The duration of glycemic control with TZDs appears to be maintained over periods up to 5 to 6 years.
α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Mechanism
Improve insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue and muscle.
Advantages
TZDs increase HDL-C and lower triglycerides, lower blood pressure, reduce markers of inflammation, reduce hepatic steatosis, decrease carotid and coronary artery thickening and prevent restenosis aſter percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.
Impair breakdown of starches in GI tract, reducing PPG excursions.
Bile Acid Sequestrants (colesevelam)
Dopamine Agonists
Unknown
Bromocriptine is a potent agonist at dopamine D2
and various serotonin receptors. It also inhibits the release of glutamate by reversing the glutamate GLT-1 transporter.
receptors Not systemically absorbed.
Not systemically absorbed. Lowers LDL-C.
No hypoglycemia, no weight gain, potential CV safety.
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