Sulfonylureas

Question 1

What is it indicated for?

Answer 1

Type 2 diabetes

Question 2

How does it work?

Answer 2

Lowers blood glucose by stimulating pancreatic insulin secretion.

Question 3

Can any type 2 diabetic use this drug class?

Answer 3

No as it is only effective for patients with residual pancreatic function

Question 4

What are the side effects of this drug class?

Answer 4

GI upset
Hypoglycaemia
Hypersensitivity reactions such as hepatic toxicity, drug hypersensitivity syndrome and haematological abnormalities

Question 5

What are the warnings of this drug class?

Answer 5

Prescribe with caution for people at increased risk of hypoglycaemia, including those with hepatic impairment, malnutrition, adrenal or pituitary insufficiency and elderly patients.

Question 6

What are the interactions of this drug class with other dugs?

Answer 6

Risk of hypoglycaemia when prescribed with glucose-lowering drugs

B-blockers may mask symptoms of hypoglycaemia

Efficacy of drug class reduced when given with glucose elevating drugs like prednisolone, thiazide, and loop diuretics.

Question 7

What drugs are in this class?

Answer 7

gliclazide, glimepride, glipizide