Medications taken before meals in diabetes may be glucose-lowering medications. Taking glucose-lowering medications before meals is usually done to lower postprandial blood glucose and to control blood glucose within the normal range, and it is recommended that the medication be taken as prescribed by the doctor. The hypoglycemic drugs that need to be taken before meals include alpha-glucosidase inhibitors and sulfonylureas. Sulfonylureas include glibenclamide, etc. Sulfonylureas are taken before meals because blood glucose rises after eating, and sulfonylureas can act on pancreatic islet B cells to promote the release of insulin, which then reduces postprandial blood glucose. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors such as acarbose and voglibose are usually taken immediately before meals or chewed with the first few bites of food, because these drugs can inhibit the enzyme alpha-glucosidase, delaying the absorption of carbohydrates, and play a role in lowering postprandial blood glucose. Patients who need to take hypoglycemic drugs before meals should be under the guidance of a doctor.