Non-sulfonylureas

What are Non-sulfonylureas?

Biguanides are classed as non-sulfonylureas. Metformin is the only available biguanide for diabetes treatment. It inhibits the amount of glucose produced by the liver, increases the insulin-receptor binding and stimulates tissue uptake of glucose. Metformin does not stimulate the pancreas to make or release more insulin so doesn’t cause hypoglycemia.

Metformin is used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

Different types of sulphonylureas

Gliclazide. Gliclazide comes as standard-release or slow-release tablets which you take at the same time once a day before breakfast.
Glipizide. Glipizide is a tablet that you take once a day, and you must take it 30 minutes before breakfast or lunch.
Glimepiride.
Tolbutamide.

Some of the commonly used classes of non-insulin medications include: Metformin. Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and dual GLP-1/gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) receptor agonists. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.

First-generation SUs (e.g. tolbutamide) have been superseded by more potent second-generation SUs (e.g. gliclazide, glipizide and glimepiride). Historically, SUs have been common add-on therapy to metformin, owing to effectiveness and low cost.