Antidiabetic drugs and liver function – An update

Abstract

In a developing country like India, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is on the increase and this has been attributed to life style modification. Use of antidiabetic drugs are the treatment of choice to control this disease. Many brand of pharmaceutical drugs are being used depending upon its efficacy in controlling glucose, but each drug has its effect not only controlling glucose level but altering other organ functions notably liver. Six different oral hypoglycemic agents are being prescribed for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients. viz, sulphonylureas, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, glinides, thiozolidinediones and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. The aim of this review article is to analyse the merits and demerits of these drugs and its effect on liver function during long time use.