Overview of Hypoglycemic Agents

Hypoglycemia is often known as a decrease in blood sugar. A slight decrease or increase in sugar levels can be fatal. Diabetics patients have too much insulin in the blood. So doctors prescribe simple tests that can help them monitor blood glucose levels. After diagnosis, they are prescribed hypoglycemic drugs. These drugs help them restore a healthy blood sugar level. In this article, we will be talking about diabetes and why doctors recommend hypoglycemic drugs such as sulfonylureas. 

Hypoglycemia 

Hypoglycemia happens when the blood sugar level falls below a safe level. This decrease in low blood sugar is also known as low blood glucose levels. There may be times, and for many reasons, a person’s glucose level falls or is different from a healthy and safe level. But, many patients have low blood sugar, which is classified as less than 70 mg/dL. (milligrams per deciliter). 

Hypoglycemia can be severe if not treated properly or falls below the required state. Severe cases need immediate treatment or might lead to death. 

What are the Different Causes of Hypoglycemia? 

Several causes can lead to hypoglycemia. One might be that there is too much insulin intake in the body. Insulin is a hormone that regulates certain bodily activities and aids glucose utilisation for energy. The second reason could be postponing meals or not eating the required amount. 

Hypoglycemia Agents 

Hypoglycemic agents are medications that help a patient reduce blood sugar levels. Diabetes is one cause of death around the world. And more than 200 million people globally have type 2 diabetes, including more than a quarter of the elderly in affluent countries. For treatment, doctors prescribe a proper diet and exercise. 

However, oral hypoglycemic medications are first-line therapy for improving glycemic control and reducing microvascular and macrovascular complications. Many hypoglycemic drugs such as biguanides, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones, -glucosidase inhibitors, incretin mimetics, and DPP-4 inhibitors are prescribed to patients.  

Sulfonylureas as a Hypoglycemic Agent 

Sulfonylureas are medications that are given to type 2 diabetes patients. When the human body does not properly use insulin – the hormone in people with type 2 diabetes, it increases blood sugar levels (glucose). 

Sulfonylureas were initially developed in the 1950s and helped patients increase their insulin levels. This medication operates by helping the pancreas to release more insulin. 

A healthy diet is essential with the intake of sulfonylureas. It can lower the risk of serious or life-threatening diabetes complications, such as heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, or renal issues.

Meglitinides

Hypoglycemic agents such as meglitinides are also used to treat diabetes orally. These medicines function by inducing insulin production. Under this medication, Prandin (repaglinide) and Starlix drugs are given to diabetic patients. 

Body insulin levels are produced by beta cells which are special cells of the pancreas. When the pancreas does not help create enough insulin, or the body does not use insulin efficiently in patients with type 2 diabetes, it becomes fatal. In severe cases, glucose levels become difficult to control. Hypoglycemic drugs such as meglitinides are given in such cases. These drugs help the specialised beta cells produce more insulin to help the body digest glucose more efficiently, thereby reducing blood sugar levels. These medicines also help lower blood sugar levels after meals and are used by patients with busy schedules and those who skip meals often. 

Biguanides Medications 

Sometimes when patients with type 2 diabetes have more than the required sugar, they develop T2DM. T2DM is a long-term medical illness in which the body cannot properly produce insulin, and, as a result, the amount of sugar in the blood cannot be controlled. 

These elevated sugar levels can cause a host of problems such as kidney damage, blindness, nerve problems, limb loss, sexual function issues, and lower the chance of a heart attack or stroke. In these cases, biguanides are used. They are oral antihyperglycemic medicines that function by limiting glucose synthesis in the liver, enhancing insulin sensitivity, and lowering sugar absorption. 

Conclusion

In the sections mentioned above, we looked at the problems caused by increased blood sugar levels in the human body. We also discussed a condition called hypoglycemia and its various effects and learned about different anti hypoglycemic agents, such as sulfonylureas, which help our body reduce these insulin levels. These medicines are often used to treat type 2 diabetes. They help increase the capacity of the pancreas to increase insulin levels or vice versa.