[Pitfalls in treatment with oral antidiabetic agents]

In the treatment of type 2 diabetes (NIDDM) we possess three groups of oral hypoglycaemic drugs: sulfonyl urea derivatives, biguanides (metformin) and alpha-glucosidase (acarbose) inhibitors. Oral treatment of diabetes has a favourable impact on the patients metabolic deviations but it involves also certain dangers and pitfalls. The side-effects of oral antidiabetics can be reduced to a minimum by respecting consequentially contraindications of administration of different preparations, knowledge of their mechanism of action and individual selection of a suitable antidiabetic for every patient.