Table 3. Oral Antidiabetic Agents

Drug
Dose Range
Notes:
Glyburide (DiaBeta®, Micronase®)
1.25 to 20 mg QD or divided BID

Glipizide is best absorbed when taken 30 minutes prior to meals. Elderly patients and those with decreased renal function should be started on lowest doses.

Glyburide SR (Glynase®)
1.5 to 12 mg QD
Glipizide (Glucotrol)
5 to 40 mg QD or divided BID
Glipizide SR (Glucotrol® XL)
5 to 20 mg QD
Glimepiride (Amaryl®)
1 to 8 mg QD
Metformin (Glucophage®)
Initial dose: 500 BID
Maximum dose: 2550 mg/day divided BID or TID WM

Note cautions in renal impairment. Note cautions for patients undergoing procedures requiring contrast media. Higher doses of Glucophage® may be the best tolerated given TID.

Glucophage® XR
Initial dose: 500 QD
Maximum Dose: 2000 mg/day
Conversion from Glucophage® to Glucophage® XR: Same total daily dose, but once a day up to maximum daily dose of 2000 mg/day
Pioglitazone (Actos®)
15 to 45 mg QD

Onset of action 2 weeks, maximum effects in 2 to 3 months. Thiazolidinediones may cause resumption of ovulation.

Rosiglitazone (Avandia®)
4 to 8 mg QD or divided BID
Nateglinide (Starlix®)
60 to 120 mg TID WM

Do not take dose if meal skipped.

Repaglinide (Prandin®)
0.5 to 4 mg TID to QID WM Maximum dose: 16 mg/day
Acarbose (Precose®)
25 to 100 mg TID WM

Take with first bite of meal. Initial dose 25 mg QD and titrate upward to minimize gastrointestinal effects.

Miglitol (Glyset®)
25 to 100 mg TID WM
Glyburide/Metformin (Glucovance®)
Initial dose:
1.25 mg glyburide/250 mg metformin QD,
Maximum dose:
10 mg glyburide/2000 mg metformin divided BID WM

See above notes for glyburide and metformin.

QD = once a day; BID = twice a day; TID = three times a day; WM = with meals
Adapted from the package of inserts of the above mentioned agents.

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