Page 3 :
Hypoglycaemic Agents rdi, age, INTRODUCTION, The drugs which are used to lower blood sugar are called hypoglycaemic agents., They are used to treat diabetes mellitus (Latin word melitus means honey)., Diabetes mellitus is characterised by persistant hyperglycaemia, usually with, glucosuria. The different factors involved in its origin are heredity, immunology, age,, stress etc., during which either endogenous insulin secretion is reduced or action of, insulin is opposed. The lack or deficiency of insulin affects carbohydrate, protein and, lipid metabolism. As a result, the different symptoms (manifestations) observed are, hyperglycaemia, glucosuria, ketonaemia, ketonuria, hyperlipidaemia, polyuria,, polydipsia (increased thirst) etc., Diabetes mellitus is divided into the following types:, Type 1: Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). It is also called as juvenile, onset diabetes mellitus as it develops generally in youth. Insulin is essential to, treat this type as patients have little or no endogenous insulin., Type 2: Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). It is also called as, adult-onset or maturity-onset diabetes as it develops in middle ages or in elderly, patients who are often obese. It is treated by dietary modification or by use of, oral hypoglycaemic agents and in certain cases by insulin., Type 3: Malinutrition related diabetes mellitus (MRDM), Type 4 : Secondary diabetes. It is due to certain pancreatic disease or certain, genetic syndrome or may be drug-induced., Classification:, Hypoglycaemic agents may be placed in the following groups :, 1. Hormones : Insulin and its preparation., 2. Oral hypoglycaemic agents, (a) Sulphonylureas e.g. chlorpropamide, tolbutamide, glibenclamide., (b) Biguanides e.g. Phenformin, metformin., 3. Plant products e.g. guar gum., (14.1), Scanned by TapScanner