Common Side Effects of Some Oral Antihyperglycemic Medications

Biguanides

All biguanides can cause

• Diarrhea

• Increased acidity of body fluids (rare)

• Liver failure (rare)

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Sulfonylureas

All sulfonylureas can cause

• Weight gain

• Low blood glucose levels

Acetohexamide

Diarrhea

Nausea

Fluid retention (edema)

Chlorpropamide

Low sodium in blood

Dizziness

Headache

Diarrhea

Nausea

Low blood count (anemia)

Diarrhea

Nausea

Indigestion

Indigestion

Nausea

Vomiting

Headache

Low blood count

Meglitinides

All meglitinides can cause

• Low blood glucose levels

Minimal weight gain

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Thiazolidinediones

All thiazolidinediones can cause

• Weight gain

• Fluid retention (edema)

• Increased risk of fractures

Possible increased risk of bladder cancer

Possible increase in heart attacks

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors

All alpha-glucosidase inhibitors can cause

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Bloating

• Gas

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Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors

All dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors can cause

• Headache

• Upper respiratory infection

• Increased risk of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

Joint pain

Diarrhea

Joint pain

Diarrhea

Joint pain

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors

All sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can

• Increase urination

• Cause dizziness

• Increase the risk of fungal infections of the genitals and urinary tract infections

SGLT2 inhibitors may possibly

• Increase the risk of fractures

• Increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis

• Increase cholesterol levels

• Increase risk of a life-threatening infection of the area around the genitals (Fournier gangrene)

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Increased risk of amputations (rare)

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