Word parts
What it means
A group of drugs that bring down blood glucoseBLUD GLOO-kohsThe amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood at the time it is measured.Full entry in different ways. It includes insulinIN-suh-linA hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.Full entry and many non-insulin drugs, such as metformin, sulfonylureas (glipizide), DPP-4 inhibitors (sitagliptin), SGLT2 inhibitors (empagliflozin) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide). The main danger is blood glucose falling too low (hypoglycemiahy-poh-gly-SEE-mee-uhA blood glucose level below normal, under 70 mg/dL.hypo- belowglyc/o sugar, glucose-emia in the bloodFull entry ), most of all with insulin and sulfonylureas.
For the nurse
Check the blood glucose before giving a dose and know when each drug acts most strongly. Teach the signs of low blood glucose (shaky, sweaty, confused) and how to treat it with fast sugar. ISMP lists insulin and oral sulfonylureas as high-alert medications.
At a glance
| Spanish | antidiabético |
|---|---|
| Also written | antidiabetics, antidiabetic drug, antidiabetic drugs, antidiabetic agent, antidiabetic agents |
Related terms
insulin
A hormone made by the pancreas that lets the body's cells take in glucose, also made as a medicine.
hypoglycemia
A blood glucose level below normal, under 70 mg/dL.
diabetes mellitus
A long-term disease in which blood glucose stays high because the body makes too little insulin or cannot use it well.
blood glucose
The amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood at the time it is measured.
type 2 diabetes
A form of diabetes in which the body does not respond well to insulin and does not make enough of it to keep blood glucose normal.