The mechanism of action of oral antidiabetic drugs : a review of recent literature

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disorder that is placing an increasing burden on health service delivery worldwide. Consequently, it has become increasingly important that physicians who treat such patients have a good knowledge of antidiabetic drugs that are currently available or will come onto the market. This article presents an overview of all the major drug classes as well as some information on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, side-effect profiles and indications for use.