Which class of drugs is primarily used for the treatment of type I diabetes?

The class of drugs primarily used for the treatment of type I diabetes is insulin. Type I diabetes, which is characterized by the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, requires exogenous insulin since the body can no longer produce it adequately. Patients with this form of diabetes depend on insulin to control their blood glucose levels effectively.

While Symlin, which is indicated in some situations to aid glycemic control by slowing gastric emptying and inhibiting glucagon secretion, is not a primary treatment but rather an adjunct therapy in both type I and type II diabetes. Metformin is primarily used in type II diabetes to improve insulin sensitivity and is not effective in type I without insulin supplementation. Beta-blockers are used for different clinical indications, such as hypertension or cardiac conditions, and do not address the need for insulin in type I diabetes. Thus, the primary treatment remains insulin, making it the most appropriate choice for managing this condition.