Wednesday, May 9, 2012

What are Sulfonylureas?


Sulfonylureas medications can help to increases your body’s production of insulin before digesting food. Your pancreas naturally produces insulin that sends signals to your cells telling them to absorb glucose from the food you are eating. With type 2 diabetes you are less responsive to insulin, and your cells can not take in enough glucose which causes it to build up in your bloodstream. A high glucose blood level over a long time can lead to serious health problems.  To help prevent high glucose blood levels Sulfonylureas medications tell your pancreas to produce more insulin this extra insulin causes your cells to absorb more glucose from your bloodstream helping you maintain healthy blood glucose levels.

There are lots of Health tips online on Sulfonylureas medications on the market. Three of the new generation of Sulfonylureas have been over the last few years, and are much stronger than the older generation of tablets, and also have fewer side effects. Each pill is sold under two names the generic name which is listed by the (USDA) and the brand name or widely known name given to  it by the manufacturer on the market  three Sulfonylureas available in the United States these are Glipizide, Glimepiride, and Glipizide. Seeing as all second generation Sulfonylureas do the same job we will focus on one of the most widely prescribed, and that is Glipizide, Brand name Glucotrol.