A class of oral glucose-lowering drugs that act by closing ATP-dependent potassium channels in pancreatic beta cells, thus causing calcium channel opening and subsequent insulin release.
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pl. n.
a group of oral hypoglycaemic drug, including repaglinide (NovoNorm) and nateglinide (Starlix), used for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus. They act by stimulating insulin release from the pancreas and should be taken before each meal.
Medical dictionary. 2011.