[Twenty years of oral diabetic therapy (author's transl)].

Oral diabetic therapy can be differentiated into sulfonamide derivatives and guanidine derivatives. The substances are different with respect to mode of action, sphere of indications and side effects. In the past 20 years, preparations of both classes of substance have been considerably improved by research work and the clinical experience gained. Among the sulfonamide derivatives are preparations which are highly effective, low dosed and have few side effects. The gastro-intestinal side effects of the biguanides have been counteracted by the development of slow-release preparations. In the range of indications for oral antidiabetics, it must be noted that more important forms of treatment are available in diet and insulin therapy. Therefore, all dietetic possiblities must be exhauseted, especially in overweight diabetics, before oral antidiabetics are prescribed.