Drugs that lower a1c
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Drugs That Lower A1C: A Comprehensive Review
Oral Antidiabetic Agents (OADs) and A1C Reduction
Oral antidiabetic agents (OADs) are commonly used to manage type 2 diabetes by lowering glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels. Studies have shown that most OADs can reduce A1C levels by 0.5% to 1.25% . Specifically, thiazolidinediones and sulfonylureas are noted to lower A1C levels by approximately 1.0% to 1.25% . The greatest benefit of initiating an OAD is observed within the first 4 to 6 months of therapy, with A1C levels unlikely to fall more than 1.5% on average .
Comparative Effectiveness of Glucose-Lowering Drugs
A comprehensive review of 453 trials assessed the effectiveness of various glucose-lowering drugs, including monotherapies and combination therapies. Insulin regimens and specific glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) added to metformin-based therapy produced the most significant reductions in A1C levels. In patients with increased cardiovascular risk, oral semaglutide, empagliflozin, and liraglutide were particularly effective in reducing all-cause mortality and cardiovascular death.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and SGLT-2 Inhibitors
GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as liraglutide and semaglutide, have been shown to significantly lower A1C levels and reduce cardiovascular events. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, including empagliflozin and dapagliflozin, also contribute to A1C reduction and have additional benefits such as reducing heart failure hospitalization and end-stage renal disease .
Combination Therapies
Combination therapies, such as IDegLira (a combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide), have demonstrated significant reductions in A1C levels in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes (A1C >9%). Similarly, the addition of sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, to existing treatments has shown beneficial effects in lowering A1C levels.
Insulin and Metformin Combination
For patients who do not achieve adequate glycemic control with two oral medications, adding insulin to metformin has been found to be as effective as triple oral therapy in lowering A1C levels. This combination is also more cost-effective compared to triple oral drug regimens.
Ranolazine and A1C Reduction
Ranolazine, a drug primarily used to treat angina, has been found to lower A1C and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels in patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The reduction in A1C by ranolazine is related to the level of hyperglycemia at the time of randomization.
Conclusion
Various pharmacologic options are available to lower A1C levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Oral antidiabetic agents, GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and combination therapies have all shown efficacy in reducing A1C levels. The choice of therapy should be tailored to the individual patient's needs, considering factors such as baseline A1C levels, cardiovascular risk, and cost-effectiveness.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic