Sulfonylureas are a type of oral medication used to reduce blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. These drugs work by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. Sulfonylureas are categorized into two generations, with the primary distinction being their elimination from the body. Consequently, second-generation sulfonylureas often require less frequent dosing compared to the first-generation and are generally favored for patients with compromised kidney function. Examples of first-generation sulfonylureas include chlorpropamide (Diabinese) and tolbutamide (Orinase), while the second-generation options include glipizide (Glucotrol and Glucotrol XL), glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, and Glynase PresTab), and glimepiride (Amaryl). These medications are effective at quickly lowering blood sugar levels but carry a risk of causing hypoglycemia.
