Secretagogues work by increasing the production of insulin by the pancreas. They work only when the person with type 2 diabetes has some remaining insulin producing cells on the pancreas. Generally after having diabetes for 5 - 10 years these cells are no longer able to produce insulin therefore the secretagogue is ineffective.
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Medication that helps the pancreas secret more insulin:
Glyburide –Micronase and Glynase
Glipizide- Glucotrol and Glucotrol XR
Glimepiride - Amaryl
Repaglinide - Prandin
Nateglinide - Starlix
These only work when the pancreas can continue to produce insulin. These generally work well for about 10 years if the diabetes was discovered early.
