Abstract
There are many new orally administered agents to treat type 2 diabetes. Sulfonylureas and meglitinides stimulate insulin secretion. Metformin has been joined by thiazolidinediones to reduce insulin resistance. Disaccharidase inhibitors slow glucose uptake after a meal. Beta-3 agonists and agents that augment glucagon-like peptide activity are promising new agents in the effort to not only control glucose levels but also restrain weight gain. The future treatment of diabetes will require multiple drugs working in concert to normalize blood glucose.