Table: Common Side Effects of Some Oral Antihyperglycemic Medications

Common Side Effects of Some Oral Antihyperglycemic Medications

Medication	Some Side Effects
Biguanides	All biguanides can cause Diarrhea Increased acidity of body fluids (rare) Liver failure (rare)
Metformin	—
Extended-release metformin	—
Sulfonylureas	All sulfonylureas can cause Weight gain Low blood glucose levels
Acetohexamide	Diarrhea Nausea Fluid retention (edema)
Chlorpropamide	Low sodium in blood
Glimepiride	Dizziness Headache
Glipizide	Diarrhea Nausea Low blood count (anemia)
Glipizide, extended release	Diarrhea Nausea
Glyburide	Indigestion
Micronized glyburide	Indigestion
Tolazamide	Nausea Vomiting
Tolbutamide	Headache Low blood count
Meglitinides	All meglitinides can cause Low blood glucose levels
Nateglinide	Minimal weight gain
Repaglinide	—
Thiazolidinediones	All thiazolidinediones can cause Weight gain Fluid retention (edema) Increased risk of fractures
Pioglitazone	Possible increased risk of bladder cancer
Rosiglitazone	Possible increase in heart attacks
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors	All alpha-glucosidase inhibitors can cause Diarrhea Abdominal pain Bloating Gas
Acarbose	—
Miglitol	—
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors	All dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors can cause Headache Upper respiratory infection Increased risk of inflammation of the pancreas ( pancreatitis Overview of Pancreatitis Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a leaf-shaped organ about 5 inches (about 13 centimeters) long. It is surrounded by the lower edge of the stomach and the first... read more )
Alogliptin	Joint pain
Linagliptin	Diarrhea
Saxagliptin	Joint pain
Sitagliptin	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 Overview of Fungal Skin Infections Fungi usually live in moist areas of the body where skin surfaces meet: between the toes, in the genital area, and under the breasts. Yeasts and molds are types of fungi. Candida and Malassezia... read more and urinary tract infections Overview of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) In healthy people, urine in the bladder is sterile—no bacteria or other infectious organisms are present. The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body (urethra) contains no bacteria... read more SGLT2 inhibitors may possibly Increase the risk of fractures Increase the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis Diabetic Ketoacidosis Diabetic ketoacidosis is an acute complication of diabetes that occurs mostly in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a characteristic... read more Increase cholesterol levels Increase risk of a life-threatening infection of the area around the genitals (Fournier gangrene)
Canagliflozin	Increased risk of amputations (rare)
Dapagliflozin	—
Empagliflozin	—
Ertugliflozin	—