a. Oral hypoglycemics act by stimulating the pancreatic beta cells to produce more insulin or by increasing the effectiveness of existing insulin.

b. Oral hypoglycemics are NOT a form of oral insulin. Oral hypoglycemic agents require a pancreas with functional beta cells. This is why oral hypoglycemics do not work for all patients with diabetes.

c. Oral hypoglycemics act within an hour after ingestion and last for 24 hours.

d. Examples of oral hypoglycemic agents include Orinase, Diabinese, and Tolinase.