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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