Sulfonylureas

What are the sulfonylureas?

Sulphonylureas are oral medications that help sugar less blood in the patients with diabetes type 2. Drugs in this class include: Glucotrol and Glucotrol XL (glipizide) Diabeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase (glyburide) Amaryl (glimepiride) Chlorpropamide Tolbutamide Tolazamide

What is they?

Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, sugar helps to move from blood circulation in the cells, where it acts as an energy source. When the body does not have enough insulin or does not use the insulin it indeed, blood glucose increases. Sulfonylureas are stimulating the beta cells of the pancreas to produce more insulin and also help the body to use insulin, lowering the rate of sugar in the blood up to 20%.

What they do not

Sulfonylureas replace directly the insulin. Therefore, they are not appropriate for patients with diabetes type 1.

History of use

Sulfonylureas are the original oral drug for diabetes and have been used for the United States since 1955. Sulfonylureas are usually taken once or twice a day, before meals. Sulfonylureas can be used alone or in combination with insulin or other medications orally against type 2 diabetes.

Who should not use sulfonylureas?

Patients with type 1 diabetes or suffering from allergies to sulfonamides (sulfa) must not use sulfonylureas. In addition, sulfonylureas may be discontinued in patients who are exposed to high levels of physical stress (infection, injury, or surgery, for example) and may temporarily stop for patients who are pas eat regularly. Glibenclamide should not be taken simultaneously with Tracleer (bosentan), which is used in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

What are the side effects and risks?

Sulfonylureas can cause hypoglycemia (hypoglycemia), which generally occurs in the following circumstances: long duration of action (once a day) sulfonylureas in patients who also have kidney in breach of the use of more of a drug for diabetes after vigorous exercise after a mealheart or gastrointestinal disease

Other side effects of sulfonylureas include stomach aches, sensitivity to light and liver abnormalities.

Chlorpropamide of drugs may cause redness of the skin after drinking alcohol and can cause hyponatremia (low blood salt).

What are other uses of "Off – Label"?

Glibenclamide can be used for treating gestational diabetes from the 11th to 33 weeks of pregnancy.

What else should know about?

Studies have suggested that the use of sulfonylureas give rise to more poor results after a heart attack. However, a recent study published in the British Medical Journal looked at two trials with sulfonylureas: one found an association with the worst results, whereas the other did not. Questions about the use of sulfonylureas and results with heart disease will require a more in-depth study.

As for any diabetes management plan, it is important for anyone using of sulfonylureas to follow a healthy lifestyle. This should include good blood pressure and cholesterol control to prevent heart disease.