Sulfonylureas

Question 1

What are the sulfonylurea medications

Answer 1

• Glimepiride
• Glipizide
• Glyburide

Question 2

What is the mechanism of action of the sulfonylureas?

Answer 2

They increase the endogenous release of insulin by pancreatic beta cells
May have slight effect on insulin sensitivity

Question 3

__________ is the only sulfonylurea that cannot be taken with food

Answer 3

glipizide

Question 4

True or false:

Sulfonylureas are effective as first line therapy

Answer 4

False - they are used as second line therapy for patients who have not achieved appropriate results with lifestyle changes and metformin

Question 5

Sulfonylureas have a _______ risk for hypoglycemia when compared to metformin

Answer 5

higher

due its actions on endogenous insulin release

Question 6

Sulfonylureas are associated with weight _______

Answer 6

gain

Question 7

Is GI upset a common or uncommon side effect of the sulfonylureas?

Answer 7

Common

Question 8

True or false:

Sulfonylureas have a large number of drug-drug interactions and must be used cautiously

Answer 8

True - out of 45 drug-drug interactions, 41 were classified as major or moderate!

Question 9

Sulfonylureas are excreted primarily in _________

Answer 9

urine

Question 10

Sulfonylureas may decrease HgbA1c 1.5 - 2%, but the effects is not usually sustained - explain why

Answer 10

Due to their MOA (increasing pancreatic beta cell activity), they may cause overstimulation of the pancreas and facilitate eventual burnout of the beta cells