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Effects of Oral Diabetes Medicine on the Liver

Numerous types of oral diabetes medicine are prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes whose blood sugar remains too high after lifestyle changes, or on a temporary basis while the person works on making those changes. Because the liver is involved in sugar processing, some of these drugs can affect the liver.

  1. The Liver and Glucose

    • In non-diabetics, the liver produces glucose between eating times to maintain normal levels of cell energy. When healthy people eat, the pancreas releases insulin and the liver decreases glucose production, but in type 2 diabetes, the liver continues producing glucose. This condition is called insulin resistance.

    Biguanides

    • Biguanides are a type of oral diabetes medicine that stop the liver from releasing glucose, and increase the ability of insulin to move glucose from the blood into cells. These drugs should not be used by patients with kidney or liver disease because they create a higher risk of lactic acidosis.

    DPP-IV

    • Dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors signal the liver to stop excessive glucose production.

    Thiazolidinediones

    • Thiazolidinediones reduce the amount of sugar released by the liver. They also improve the effectiveness of insulin, thus decreasing insulin resistance by the liver and other cells.

    Caution

    • Thiazolidinedione medications can cause elevated liver enzymes, or rarely, more serious liver problems. Patients taking this type of oral diabetes medication are scheduled for periodic blood tests.

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