How Do Sulfonylureas Work?

Sulfonylureas areoral抗糖尿病的drugs used with a proper diet and exercise tocontrolhighblood sugarinpeople with type 2diabetes mellitus(T2DM). T2DM is a slowlyprogressivemetabolicdisorder caused by a combination ofgeneticand lifestyle factors that promote chronically elevatedbloodsugar levels. Controlling high blood sugar helps in preventingkidneydamage,blindness,nerveproblems, loss of limbs, and sexual function problems and may also reduce the risk forheart attackorstroke(loss of blood flow to part of thebrain).

Sulfonylureas work by stimulating the production ofinsulinin thepancreasand increasing the effectiveness of insulin in the body. Insulin is apeptidehormoneproduced by the beta cells of the pancreas to help metabolizefoodand use it for energy throughout the body. After a meal, insulin promotes the uptake ofglucose(a type of sugar found in manycarbohydrates) from the blood into internal organs and tissues such as theliver,fatcells, andskeletalmuscles.

Sulfonylureas are not used to treat insulin-dependent ortype 1 diabetes(aconditionin which the body does not produce insulin and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) anddiabetic ketoacidosis(increased ketones in the blood orurine).

Sulfonylureas are administered orally as regular and extended-release (long-acting) tablets, typically once daily with breakfast or the first main meal of the day.

Sulfonylureas work in the following ways:

• Lower blood sugar levels by stimulating the production of natural insulin in the beta cells of the pancreas.
• Increase the body’s tendency to use insulin efficiently.
• Increase theperipheralglucose utilization, decreasehepaticgluconeogenesis (generation of glucose in the liver), and may increase the number andsensitivityof insulin receptors.
• Insulin secretion bypancreaticbeta cells is partly controlled by cellularmembranepotential regulated through an inverse relationship between the activity ofcellmembraneadenosine triphosphate(ATP)-sensitivepotassiumchannels andextracellularglucose concentrations.
• Extracellular glucose enters the cell via glucose transporters 2. Once inside the cell, glucose is metabolized to produce ATP (a source of energy for use and storage at the cellular level).
• They increase insulin release by inhibiting ATP-sensitive potassium channels that depolarize the beta cells, in turn openingcalciumchannels that result in the influx of calcium. Increasedintracellularcalcium induces insulin secretion.

Sulfonylureas are used as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with T2DM.

Some of the common side effects include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomachupset
• Abdominal pain
• Sore throat
• Musclepain
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness

Other rare side effects include:

• Upperrespiratorytractinfection
• Lowerlimb水肿
• Weight gain
• Dizziness(feeling faint, weak, or unsteady)
• Fever
• Asthenia(abnormalphysical weakness or lack of energy)
• Leukopenia(low white blood cells)
• Anemia(low number of红细胞)
• Hypoglycemia(低血糖level)
  • Suddensweating
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Blurred vision
  • Tingling in hands/feet
• Signs of kidney problems
  • Change in the amount of urine
  • Dark urine
  • 肿胀in legs/feet

Information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with yourdoctororpharmacistto make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking yourmedicationand never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic和品牌名称的磺酰脲类药物包括:

• Amaryl
• Chlorpropamide
• Diabeta
• Diabinese
• Glimepiride
• Glipizide
• Glucotrol
• Glucotrol XL
• Glyburide
• Glynase
• Glynase PresTab
• Minodiab
• Orinase
• Tolazamide
• Tolbutamide
• Tolinase