Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors Sulfonylureas

Sulfonylureas Meglitinides Amino acid derivatives Biguanides Thiazolidinediones Alpha- glucosidase inhibitors... 

Miglitol is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor that inhibits intestinal enzymes that digest carbohydrates, thereby reducing carbohydrate digestion after meals, which lowers postprandial glucose elevation in diabetics. It is used in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) who have failed dietary therapy. It may be used alone or in combination with sulfonylureas. 

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) were the first drags developed to meet the needs of better postprandial glucose control when sulfonylureas and biguanides were the only available oral antidiabetics that did not show any vasoprotective effect in the UGDP study [14]. 

While biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, and glitazones are not likely to cause hypoglycemia after acute overdose, they may contribute to the hypoglycemic effects of sulfonylureas, meglitinides, or Insulin. 

Normally, a controlled diet and exercise should help maintain normal blood glucose levels. When these are not sufficient, medication may need to be prescribed. Medications available today either increase the insulin supply (such as sulfonylureas, secretagogues), decrease the insulin resistance, or improve its effectiveness (biguanides and thiazolidinediones) [15]. Another group of medications is called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, which reduce the rate of glucose absorption. 

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