Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Practice Exam

Which oral medication is primarily used to lower blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus?

1. Insulin glargine

2. Metformin

3. Exenatide

4. Glucagon

The correct answer is: Metformin

Metformin is primarily used to lower blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It works by improving insulin sensitivity, decreasing hepatic glucose production, and enhancing peripheral glucose uptake and utilization. Metformin is often the first-line medication prescribed for managing type 2 diabetes because it not only helps regulate blood sugar levels effectively but also has a favorable safety profile with a lower risk of causing hypoglycemia when compared to insulin and some other diabetes medications. Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin used primarily for managing blood glucose levels in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but it is not an oral medication. Exenatide is an injectable medication that mimics incretin hormones to stimulate insulin secretion and lower blood sugar but is also not taken orally. Glucagon, on the other hand, is used to raise blood glucose levels in emergency situations, such as severe hypoglycemia, and is not utilized as a routine treatment for diabetes. Therefore, metformin stands out as the primary oral medication for managing blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus.