Example |
Metformin |
Gliclazide |
Pioglitazone |
Dapagliflozin |
Uses |
T2DM |
T2DM |
T2DM |
T2DM |
Mechanism of Action |
Delay glucose absorption, increase peripheral insulin sensitivity, inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis |
Increase insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. May increase insulin sensitivity |
Activates the intranuclear PPARγ receptor, affecting gene translation and increasing insulin sensitivity |
Inhibits glucose reabsorption by the S-GLUT2 co-transporter in the kidney, increasing glucose elimination in urine |
Dosing |
500mg-2g BD |
40-160mg BD |
15-30mg daily |
5-10mg daily |
Absorption |
Bioavailability 60% |
Bioavailability 80% |
High bioavailability. Delayed onset and late peak effect given MoA |
Bioavailability > 75% |
Distribution |
Minimally protein bound |
Extensively bound to albumin by non-ionic forces, such that they do not tend to displace other highly protein bound drugs |
Low VD (0.6L.kg-1) |
|
Metabolism |
Not metabolised |
Partial hepatic to inactive metabolites |
Extensive hepatic phase I to inactive and active metabolites |
Extensive hepatic to inactive metabolites |
Elimination |
Renal elimination of active drug |
Renal elimination of active drug and inactive metabolites |
Renal and GI elimination of active and inactive metabolites |
Renal of inactive drug |
CVS |
|
|
May precipitate fluid retention |
|
Renal |
Contraindicated in renal impairment due to increased risk of lactic acidosis |
|
|
Contraindicated in renal impairment (< 60ml.min-1) as it has no benefit |
MSK |
|
Photosensitivity |
|
|
Metabolic |
|
↑ Appetite, weight gain. Hypoglycaemia in fasting. |
|
Weight loss, reduced insulin requirements |
Renal |
|
|
|
Increased UTI and thrush risk |
GIT |
Nausea, Diarrhoea |
Cholestasis |
|
|
Toxic |
Severe lactic acidosis secondary to inhibition of oxidative glucose metabolism, especially in renal failure and alcoholics |
Cross placenta, causing foetal hypoglycaemia. |
|
May lead to euglycaemic diabetic ketoacidosis due to blunted insulin production in the face of stress hormones. Consider in patients with DKA symptoms (drowsiness, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting), elevated ketones, and metabolic acidosis in the setting of a normal BSL. |