Glibenclamide

Glibenclamide, also known as glyburide, is a medication used to manage diabetes mellitus type 2. It is recommended that it be taken together with diet and exercise. It may be used with other antidiabetic medication. It is not recommended for use by itself in diabetes mellitus type 1. It is taken orally. Glibenclamide, also known as glyburide, is a medication used to manage diabetes mellitus type 2. It is recommended that it be taken together with diet and exercise. It may be used with other antidiabetic medication. It is not recommended for use by itself in diabetes mellitus type 1. It is taken orally. Common side effects include nausea and heartburn. Serious side effects may include angioedema and low blood sugar. It is generally not recommended during pregnancy but can be used during breastfeeding. It is in the sulfonylureas class of medications and works by increasing the release of insulin from the pancreas. Glibenclamide was discovered in 1969 and approved for medical use in the United States in 1984. It is available as a generic medication. A month supply in the United Kingdom costs the NHS about £3.20 as of 2019. In the United States the wholesale cost of this amount is about $2.50. In 2016, it was the 172nd most prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 3 million prescriptions. It is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not as good as either metformin or insulin in those who have gestational diabetes. This medication is a major cause of medication-induced hypoglycemia. The risk is greater than with other sulfonylureas. Cholestatic jaundice is noted. Glibenclamide may be not recommended in those with G6PD deficiency, as it may cause acute hemolysis. It is generally not recommended during pregnancy but can be used during breastfeeding. The medication works by binding to and inhibiting the ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP) inhibitory regulatory subunit sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) in pancreatic beta cells. This inhibition causes cell membrane depolarization, opening voltage-dependent calcium channels. This results in an increase in intracellular calcium in the pancreatic beta cell and subsequent stimulation of insulin release.