A National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center

 

Patients & Families

Health Care Professionals

Researchers

Donors & Volunteers

Employees

 

Health Encyclopedia

 

 

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

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.