title: Mortality risk with sulphonylureas compared to metformin.
abstract: Current clinical guidelines in the USA and the UK recommend first-line glucose-lowering treatment with metformin monotherapy for glucose control in type 2 diabetes, where not contraindicated. Consequently, the proportion of people treated with sulphonylureas is decreasing. The purpose of this commentary is to discuss the risks and benefits associated with sulphonylurea monotherapy versus metformin monotherapy and the evidence that, in comparison with metformin, sulphonylureas cause increased harm to people with type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Cochrane Institute of Public Health, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Holden
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Currie
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008687:Metformin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; D008687:Metformin
keywords: metformin; sulphonylureas; type 2 diabetes