What Are Sulfonylureas Drugs? An overview, types and side effects.

Sulfonylureas drugs are medications for treating type 2 diabetes. Patients take them to boost insulin production from the pancreas. Combining these drugs with a healthy lifestyle will significantly lessen your chances of developing severe diabetic complications. Complications usually include heart disease, nerve damage, eye problems, kidney problems, and stroke.

Sulfonylureas Drugs

ZipRX offers these sulfonylureas drugs:

Glipizide (Glucotrol)

Glipizide is in a class of medications called sulfonylureas. Glipizide lowers blood sugar by causing your pancreas to release more insulin. This medication will only help lower blood sugar in people who produce insulin naturally. It is not used to treat type 1 diabetes where the body does not produce insulin and control the amount of sugar in the blood. Glipizide comes as tablets and extended-release (long-acting) tablets.

Side effects
Commonly experienced side effects include:

Tremors
Dizziness
Constipation
Diarrhea
Itching
Skin rash or redness

You should consult your doctor for advice on the side effects of this medication. Also, contact your doctor if you’re experiencing indications of low blood sugar levels such as:

Sweating
Headache
Dizziness
Irritability
Enhanced heart rate
Hunger
Anxiety

Call your doctor for urgent medical help if you are experiencing the following severe side effects:

Hives
Swelling of your tongue, face, throat, or lips
Difficulty in breathing

General Warnings
Usage of this drug is not advisable for diabetic individuals who:

Are allergic to Glipizide
Have diabetic ketoacidosis
Kidney/liver disease
Have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, which is an enzyme deficiency
Have intestinal blockage or chronic diarrhea

If you fall in this category, you should contact your doctor before using this medication.

Warnings for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers

If you’re expecting, you should follow the doctor’s specific instructions concerning the usage of this medication. Regulating diabetes during pregnancy is vital because uncontrolled blood sugar can trigger complications for both mother and child.

You may also need to stop administering this drug some weeks before you’re due for delivery. In addition, nursing mothers shouldn’t breastfeed their babies when taking this medicine. If you’re a nursing mother, consult your doctor about the risk involved.

Interactions

The Glipizide oral tablet can interact with other medications, herbs, or vitamins you might be taking. Consult your doctor on how to manage all of the medications. Avoid alcohol because it reduces blood sugar and can trigger side effects. Also, it would be best to avoid operating machinery or driving until you’re familiar with how the drug affects your body.

Click here to purchase Glipizide (Glucotrol).

Glyburide (Micronase, DiaBeta, and Glynase)

Glyburide falls under the category of sulfonylureas drugs. This medication treats individuals with type 2 diabetes. Depending on your doctor, it can be combined with other type 2 diabetes medications. It’s not meant to treat type 1 diabetes. This drug works best when the patients maintain a healthy diet and keep fit. It is administered orally.

Side effects
The side effects commonly experienced include:
Nausea
Constipation
Heartburn
Low blood sugar (more likely for elderly people)
Blurry vision
Skin redness or mild rash
Joint or muscle pain

Call your doctor for emergency medical help if you are experiencing the following allergic reactions or severe side effects:

Dark urine
Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)
Severe skin itching, rash, or redness
Easy bleeding or bruising (pale skin)
Fever (sore throat and chills)
Mouth sores
Low sodium levels (confusion, severe fatigue, slurred speech, headache, loss of coordination, feeling unbalanced, and vomiting).

General Warnings
Avoid using this medication if:
You’re using Bosentan (Tracleer) for treatment
You have diabetic ketoacidosis or type 1 diabetes

Also, consult your doctor if you’ve experienced the following in the past:
An allergic reaction to sulfa drugs
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency; an enzyme deficiency
Nerve damage
Hemolytic anemia
Kidney or liver disease

Ensure you consult your doctor before administering Glyburide if you have orally administered another diabetes medication or taken an insulin dose within the past 14 days.

This medication can also enhance your chances of having severe heart complications. However, not treating your diabetic condition can cause damage to the heart and other organs such as the liver and kidney. Ensure you meet with your doctor to be familiar with the benefits and risks of the medication.

Warnings for Pregnancies and Nursing Mothers
Identical with that of Glipizide

Interactions
Do not take alcohol if you’re using this medication. The reason is that it lessens blood sugar levels, which can interfere with your diabetes treatment.

Glyburide interactions with your body will also make you more prone to sunburn. Therefore, you should avoid tanning beds or sunlight and wear sunscreen (SPF30 and above) or protective clothing when you’re outside.

Chlorpropamide

Chlorpropamide is a first-generation sulfonylurea drug. It’s commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. It’s orally taken. To get the best of this drug, patients are advised to exercise daily and eat healthily.

Side effects
Common side effects include:
Hunger
Appetite loss
Vomiting
Headache
Itching
Dizziness

Contact your doctor emergency medical assistance if you experience the following:
Dark urine
Light-colored graces
Jaundice
Diarrhea
Fever
Sore throat
Skin rash
Pain in the top right part of your stomach
Abnormal bleeding or bruising

Warnings
Before using this medication, consult your doctor if you have the following conditions:
G6PD deficiency
Hemolytic anemia
Hormonal disorders (affecting the thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary glands)
Liver, heart, or kidney disease

Contact your doctor if you’re allergic to the medication or any of the ingredients used to make the drug. You should also request a list of the ingredients.

Warnings for Pregnant Women and Nursing Mothers
The same with Glipizide.

Interactions
Avoid taking alcohol when using Chlorpropamide to avoid certain symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, blurry vision, chest pain, nausea, flushing, anxiety, choking, sweating, headache, etc.

This medication will make your skin sensitive to sunlight. This is why you should totally avoid sunlight if you can or avoid being under the sun longer than necessary. Also, wear sunscreen, protective clothing, and sunshades.

To start treating your type 2 diabetes, place an order for Glipizide or other Sulfonylureas from ZipRX.

Conclusion

Sulfonylureas drugs are medications for treating type 2 diabetes. Glipizide, Glyburide, and Chlorpropamide are examples of sulfonylureas drugs. To get the best out of these drugs, follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Combining these drugs with a healthy lifestyle will significantly lessen your chances of developing severe diabetic complications.