Oral hypoglycemic drugs can be categorized into several classes based on their mechanism of action:
1) Insulin secretagogues like sulfonylureas and meglitinides which bind to sulfonylurea receptors and modulate K+ ATP channels to stimulate insulin secretion.
2) Insulin sensitizers like biguanides (e.g. metformin) and thiazolidinediones which improve insulin sensitivity.
3) Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors like acarbose which slow carbohydrate absorption from the intestine.
4) Newer drug classes targeting incretin pathways like GLP-1 agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors or affecting other processes like amylin