Diabetic Drugs - Learn with Visual Mnemonics!

Visual Learner Studios uses visual mnemonics to teach pharmacology fast and efficiently.

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Diabetic Drugs - Drugs used for diabetes.

Alright...Today, we will go over classes of drugs used to treat diabetes and examples within each class. To remind you of this, we want you to notice the poster on the wall for “Diabetes - The Musical”.

Insulins: Lispro, Zinc, Glargine

First up, are the Insulins which is represented by the INSULATED gargoyle as he’s wearing a jacket...The gargoyle with big LIPS, is a short-acting insulin called LISPRO. The ZINC rock in his hands is an intermediate acting insulin called ZINC. The JEANS he’s wearing, is a long acting insulin called GlarGINE.

Biguanides: Metformin

The next class are the Biguanides, which is represented by the IGUANA on the foreman. The MEAT FOREMAN is METFORMIN, which is a commonly used drug in this class.

Sulfonylureas: Glyburide, Gliclazide

Sulfonylureas are a class of drugs that are often used, and it is represented by the CELL PHONE. (SULFON-ylureas → CELL PHONE). Some examples are GLYBURIDE represented by the the BRIDE, and GLICLAZIDE which is the bride LICKing the lollipop.

DPP-4 Inhibitors: Sitagliptin, Saxagliptin

Next, are the Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors or DPP-4 Inhibitors, these are represented by the Gryffin, and the little inscription on his sax helps you remember this. Examples include, . SITAGLIPTIN which is the SITTING GRYFFIN, and SAXAGLIPTIN which is the SAX GRYFFIN.

Thiazolidinediones: Rosiglitazone, pioglitazone

This next class of drugs is a mouthful, the thiazolidinediones, which is represented by the THIGH LID on the glittery man in the poster. Examples are ROSIGLITAZONE and PIOGLITaZONE which are represented by the GLITTERY man’s ROSE and PIE, respectively.

Selective sodium-glucose transporter (SGLT)-2 inhibitors - Canagliflozin

Selective sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitors or SGLT-2 inhibitors is represented by the STOP...I mean “SGLT” sign. An example is Canagliflozin, which is CAN FROZEN.

Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors: Acarbose

Alpha glucosidase inhibitors is represented by the car with the ALPHA bumper sticker. An example in this class is ACARBOSE, represented the CAR.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 inhibitors: Exenatide

Lastly, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Inhibitors or GLP-1 Inhibitors is represented by the G on the car’s wheel center cap. The example is EX-ENATIDE, which is the orange X on the wheel.


To learn more about visual mnemonics and the drugs used in Diabetes, including mechanisms of action and side effects, please check out our website at VisualLearner.net. Happy studying!