Better Living Through Modern Chemistry

Glucophage/Glucophage XR (metformin hydrochloride):
Biguanide; decreases hepatic (of or related to the liver) glucose production and intestinal absorption of glucose, and improves insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake and utilization.

Glucotrol (glipizide):
Sulfonylurea (2nd generation); lowers blood glucose acutely by stimulating insulin release from pancreatic β cells (beta cells store and release insulin).

Cymbalta (duloxetine):
Selective SNRI; not established. believed to be related to potentiation of serotonergic (liberating, activated by, or involving serotonin in the transmission of nerve impulses) and noradrenergic (liberating, activated by, or involving norepinephrine in the transmission of nerve impulses) activity in the CNS (Central Nervous System).

Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium):
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor; inhibits conversion of HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A) to mevalonate (precursor of sterols, including cholesterol).

Prinivil (lisinopril):
ACE (angiotensin-converting-enzyme) inhibitor; decreases plasma angiotensin II, which leads to decreased vasopressor activity and decreased aldosterone secretion.

Chlorthalidone (chlorthalidone):
Monosulfamyl diuretic; not established. Acts on the cortical diluting segment of the ascending limb of Henle's loop of the nephron (the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney) and produces diuresis with increased excretion of sodium and chloride.

Trulicity (dulaglutide):
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist; increases intracellular cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate) in β cells (beta cells store and release insulin), leading to glucose-dependent insulin release. Also decreases glucagon secretion and slows gastric emptying.

Lantus (insulin glargine):
Insulin glargine; regulates glucose metabolism. Lowers blood glucose by stimulating peripheral glucose uptake and by inhibiting hepatic (of or related to the liver) glucose production. Inhibits lipolysis (the breakdown of fats by hydrolysis to release fatty acids) and proteolysis (the breakdown of proteins or peptides into amino acids by the action of enzymes), and enhances protein synthesis.