Dose-response relationships of sulfonylureas: will doubling the dose double the response?
type 2 diabetes mellitus is currently a global health problem. Although the armamentarium of oral hypoglycemic agents is continuously expanding, sulfonylureas (SUs) are still extensively used for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, despite decades of use, there is controversy as to the dosing of SUs. Despite many dose-response relationship studies indicating that SUs should be prescribed at lower doses, their dose recommendations remain unchanged. Moreover, studies have demonstrated that high doses of SUs may result in a deterioration of glycemic control and increased frequency of protracted hypoglycemic episodes. In view of the controversial dose-response relationship of SUs, it is suggested that the dose of SUs be titrated against glycemic parameters of blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin.
Rambiritch
Virendra
V
Department of Pharmacology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. rambritchv@ukzn.ac.za
Naidoo
Poobalan
P
Butkow
Neil
N
D000284:Administration, Oral; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds