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Oral Diabetes Medicines That Can Cause Low Blood Sugar

Topic Overview

Sulfonylureas help the pancreas make and/or release insulin.

  • Chlorpropamide (Diabinese)
  • Glimepiride (Amaryl)
  • Glipizide (Glucotrol)
  • Glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase, Micronase)
  • Tolbutamide
  • Tolazamide

Meglitinides help the pancreas make insulin.

  • Nateglinide (Starlix).
  • Repaglinide (Prandin).

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors lower your blood sugar by slowing the digestion of carbohydrates.

  • Acarbose (Precose)
  • Miglitol (Glyset)

You are less likely to develop low blood sugar levels if you are taking:

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Jennifer Hone, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Last Revised July 1, 2011

Last Revised: July 1, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Jennifer Hone, MD - Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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