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What type of medication is indicated by the suffix '-ide'?

  1. Antihypertensives

  2. Oral hypoglycemics

  3. Anticoagulants

  4. Anxiolytics

The correct answer is: Oral hypoglycemics

The suffix '-ide' is commonly associated with oral hypoglycemic agents, which are medications used to lower blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus. This class of drugs includes well-known examples such as glipizide and glyburide, which specifically stimulate insulin release from the pancreas or increase the sensitivity of cells to insulin. Oral hypoglycemics play a crucial role in managing blood sugar levels, particularly in type 2 diabetes, and understanding this suffix can help healthcare providers identify the medication class easily. Each class of medications has unique mechanisms of action and therapeutic uses, which is essential for ensuring appropriate treatment for patients with specific medical conditions. Therefore, recognizing the '-ide' suffix is vital for anyone involved in treating diabetic patients, as it directly relates to the drugs they may need to administer or manage.