Illustration showing the molecular structure of repaglinide, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drug known as meglitinides which bind to ATP-dependent potassium channels in pancreatic beta cells, stimulating insulin release. It belongs to a class of drug known as meglitinides which bind to ATP-dependent potassium channels in pancreatic beta cells, stimulating insulin release. Insulin, in turn, increases cellular glucose uptake, reducing blood sugar levels, making repaglinide a suitable treatment for type 2 diabetes. Atoms are represented as spheres and are colour-coded: carbon (grey), hydrogen (white), nitrogen (blue) and oxygen (red). |