Sulfonylureas

Sulfonylureas are antidiabetic drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes. Sulfonylureas are available in tablet form and should only be used as prescribed by a doctor.

Sulfonylureas or sulfonylureas are oral anti-diabetic drugs that function to reduce high blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients . These drugs work by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin and helping the body use insulin more efficiently.

The use of sulfonylureas needs to be combined with the adoption of a healthy diet and regular exercise in order to reduce the risk of diabetes complications, such as stroke or heart disease.

Sulfonylureas cannot be used to treat type 1 diabetes, because these drugs can only lower blood sugar in people who are able to produce insulin naturally in their bodies.

Warning Before Taking Sulfonylureas

Sulfonylureas should only be used according to a doctor 's prescription . There are several things that must be considered before using this drug, including:

Do not take a sulfonylurea if you are allergic to this drug. Always tell your doctor about any allergies you have.
Tell your doctor if you have type 1 diabetes . Sulfonylureas should not be used in patients with these conditions.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease, liver disease, porphyria , or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase ( G6P D deficiency ) disease.
Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements or herbal products.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy.
Tell your doctor that you are taking a sulfonylurea before having any medical procedure, including dental work or surgery.
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for a long time and use sunscreen if you are going out during the day. This is because several types of sulfonylureas can cause the skin to become more sensitive to sunlight.
Do not consume alcoholic beverages while undergoing treatment with sulfonylureas, because this can increase the risk of side effects from these drugs.
Immediately see a doctor if an allergic drug reaction or overdose occurs after taking a sulfonylurea.

Side Effects and Dangers of Sulfonylureas

One of the side effects that can occur after using a sulfonylurea drug is low blood sugar levels ( hypoglycemia ). Some of the symptoms of hypoglycemia are:

A cold sweat
Dizzy
Shiver
Flustered
Confused

Some of the other side effects of sulfonylureas are:

Hungry
Nauseous
Weight gain
Stomach ache
Dark urine

Immediately go to the doctor if the side effects mentioned above do not subside or get worse. You should also see a doctor immediately if you develop an allergic drug reaction, which can be characterized by an itchy rash, swelling of the eyelids and lips, or difficulty breathing, after using a sulfonylurea.

Type, Trademark and Dosage of Sulfonylurea

Sulfonylureas are classified into 2, namely first generation and second generation sulfonylureas. However, the first generation sulfonylureas which included tolbutamide and chlorpropamide are currently discontinued.

The following are the types of drugs that are included in the second generation sulfonylurea class, along with their trademarks and dosages:

1. Glibenclamide or glyburide

Trademarks: Daonil, Fimediab, Glibenclamide, Glidanil, Glucovance, Harmida, Hisacha, Latibet, Prodiabet, Prodiamel, Renabetic, Trodeb

To find out the dosage and further information about this drug, please open the glibenclamide drug page .

2. Gliclazide

Trademarks: Diamicron, Fonylin MR, Gliclazide, Glicab, Glucored, Glidabet, Glidex, Glikamel, Glukolos, Gored, Linodiab, Meltika, Pedab, Xepabet

To find out the dosage and further information about this drug, please open the gliclazide drug page .

3. Glimepiride

Trademarks: Amadiab, Amaglu, Amaryl, Amaryl-M, Anpiride, Diaversa, Friladar, Glamarol, Gliaride, Glimefion, Glimepix, Glimepiride, Glimetic, Glucokaf, Glucoryl, Glucovel, Gluvas, Lapigim, Metrix, Norizec, Paride M-Plus, Relide, Simryl, Velacom, Velacom Plus, Versibet

To find out the dosage and further information about this drug, please open the glimepiride drug page .