Sulfonylureas: Drugs That Make A Difference

Dr Suganthi Kumaran discusses the class of drugs known to manage blood sugar levels.

- Dr Suganthi Kumaran

Sulfonylureas decoded

Sulfonylureas are a class of anti-diabetic drugs used to treat Type 2 Diabetes. These drugs work by stimulating insulin production in the body and by promoting efficacy of insulin in controlling the blood sugar levels. Sulfonylureas are usually taken shortly before a meal or with a meal and can be combined with other drugs like metformin for a better blood sugar control.

In France in 1942, Marcel Jabon incidentally found that people who were treated with sulfonamide antibiotics for typhoid were developing hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels). Thus sulfonylureas, derivatives of sulphonamides, were first introduced in 1955 as anti-diabetic medicines. There are three generations of sulfonylureas. The first generation sulfonylureas like chlorpropamide and tolbutamide are not prescribed anymore because of their side effects. The second generation sulfonylureas like glipizide and gliclazide along with the third generation sulfonylureas like glimepiride are used more often as they provide better blood sugar control in small dosages and have fewer side effects.

Mechanism of action