TY - JOUR T1 - Oral antihyperglycemic therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus JF - Canadian Medical Association Journal JO - CMAJ SP - 213 LP - 226 DO - 10.1503/cmaj.1031414 VL - 172 IS - 2 AU - Alice Y.Y. Cheng AU - I. George Fantus Y1 - 2005/01/18 UR - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/172/2/213.abstract N2 - DIABETES MELLITUS IS A CHRONIC DISEASE that is growing in prevalence worldwide. Pharmacologic therapy is often necessary to achieve optimal glycemic control in the management of diabetes. Orally administered antihyperglycemic agents (OHAs) can be used either alone or in combination with other OHAs or insulin. The number of available OHAs has increased significantly in the last decade, which translates into more therapeutic options and complex decision-making for physicians. This review article is designed to help with these decisions. We review the mechanism of action, efficacy and side effects of the different classes of OHAs (α-glucosidase inhibitors, biguanides, insulin secretagogues, insulin sensitizers and intestinal lipase inhibitor) and discuss the current recommendations for their use. ER -