Meglitinides
No two people’s diabetes is alike, and while treatment goals may be very similar, the path to reaching those goals often takes many twists and turns. We’re fortunate that there are so many treatment options available - Amy Campbell
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Diabetes Medicine: Meglitinides
Chances are, you’re not familiar with the term “meglitinides.” These meds are cousins of sulfonylureas, and they’re often called “nonsulfonylurea secretagogues” (try out that term at the next family reunion!) or “glinides.” Like sulfonylureas, these meds increase insulin secretion from the pancreas. However, they have a much shorter duration of action; in other words, they come and go.
Within this class of drugs are repaglinide (brand name Prandin) and nateglinide (Starlix). These drugs are often combined with other diabetes pills (except for sulfonylureas), but they can be used as monotherapy (on their own), as well. Repaglinide is also available as a combination pill with metformin,…
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Meglitinides: The Quick-Acting Diabetes Treatment You Might Not Know About
Meglitinides, like repaglinide and nateglinide, stimulate insulin release from the pancreas. Unlike sulfonylureas, they act quickly and have a short duration of action. Think of them as a 'quick burst' of insulin release, timed with meals. This makes them particularly useful for controlling post-meal blood sugar levels.
Articles of Interest
Efficacy and Cardiovascular Safety of Meglitinides
Meglitinides are a group of oral hypoglycemic medications currently approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Two meglitinide molecules, Repaglinide and Nateglinide, are presently in use. Repaglinide is preferred because of its superior glycemic efficacy.
Meglitinide analogues for type 2 diabetes mellitus
Meglitinides may offer an alternative oral hypoglycaemic agent of similar potency to metformin, and may be indicated where side effects of metformin are intolerable or where metformin is contraindicated. However, there is no evidence available to indicate what effect meglitinides will have on important long‐term outcomes, particularly mortality.
Prandial Glucose Regulators (Glinides)
Prandial glucose regulators, also known as glinides, are a family of oral medicines developed for the treatment of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. They are taken up to three times a day prior to meals – up to 30 minutes before eating – in order to limit subsequent post-meal spikes in blood glucose levels.
The role of nateglinide and repaglinide, derivatives of meglitinide, in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
These two compounds increase insulin secretion by a mechanism similar to the one of sulfonylureas, but with a shorter half-life... We believe that the main role of glinides as a therapeutic option in T2DM is in combination with other drugs, since the treatment must be focused on the different mechanism of action of each drug.
Resources
GoodRx
Glinides are used to lower blood sugar levels to treat diabetes type 2 by releasing more insulin into the blood stream.
ScienceDirect
The meglitinides are insulin secretagogues, stimulating the release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells in a manner similar to that of the sulfonylureas.
