title: Insulin secretagogues: who, what, when, and how?
abstract: Sulfonylurea compounds were the first available oral antidiabetic agents and they remain an important tool in our quest for optimal glycemic control. The more recent introduction of meglitinides offers an approach to short-term insulin release with minimal hypoglycemic risk during fasting periods. Published trials suggest that individuals with a hemoglobin A(1c) above 8.5% are unlikely to reach currently recommended targets (6.5% to 7%) without the use of one of these insulin secretagogues. Starting and probable maximally effective doses for glimepiride are 1 to 2 mg initially and 4 mg thereafter. For glyburide and glipizide, these are 2.5 to 5 mg initially, and 10 mg effective at a maximum. The large majority of the effect can be seen within a week, making them very attractive when rapid lowering of glucose is needed. An understanding of the principles will facilitate more effective use of initial and combination therapy.
authors.affiliation: Scripps Clinic, 10666 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. gdailey@scrippsclinic.com
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dailey
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D012016:Reference Values; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; C057619:glimepiride