A drug taken by mouth to help control hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Any drug taken by mouth that lowers or maintains blood sugar (as opposed to insulin, a drug taken parenterally to control blood sugar). OHAs are typically used, in addition to diet and exercise, to control blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Commonly used oral agents for diabetes include metformin (a biguanide), sulfonylureas (e.g., glyburide), alpha glucosidase inhibitors (acarbose), and thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone). Used appropriately, OHAs lower hemoglobin Ale levels by about 0.5 to 1.5%.