Glyburide - Stepwards

Page Contents

1 WHAT IS IT?
2 WHEN DO WE USE IT?
3 WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?
4 HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?
5 WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?
6 ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?
7 FURTHER READING

WHAT IS IT?

Glyburide belongs to the sulfonylurea class of oral hypoglycemic drugs. These medications work by closing potassium channels in the β-cell membranes, leading to depolarization of the cell, and eventual insulin release via calcium reflux.

Sulfoneryea mechanism of action (source) — Sulfonylurea mechanism of action (source)

WHEN DO WE USE IT?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

WHEN DO WE AVOID USING IT?

Type 1 diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus when pancreatic beta cells are already destroyed in the patient.

HOW IS IT ADMINISTERED?

Oral administration. Completely metabolized (likely in the liver)

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS/TOXICITY?

Severe prolonged hypoglycemia is a serious side effect of this medication

ANYTHING ELSE TO KEEP IN MIND?

Sulfonylurea medications require some level of intact endogenous insulin signaling, so they are useless in type 1 diabetes mellitus