Definition of Terms

Secretagogues - such as sulfonylureas and glinides, increase insulin secretion from the pancreas.
Secretagogues are medicines that stimulate the beta cell to secrete insulin. Secretagogues
include the sulfonylureas and glinides.

Insulin Sensitizers

These include:
Sulfonylureas – glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide.
Biguanides – metformin.
Thiazolidinediones (Tzd) – pioglitazone, Actos generic.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors – Acarbose.
Meglitinides – nateglinide.
Combination of sulfonylureas plus metformin – known by generic names of the two drugs.

Glucose Homeostasis - the balance of insulin and glucagon to maintain blood glucose.

Glucagon is a medication and hormone. As a medication it is used to treat low blood sugar, beta
blocker overdose, calcium channel blocker overdose, and those with anaphylaxis who do not
improve with epinephrine