Sulfonylureas in Practical Use. March 8, 2019

   Sulfonylureas are type of medicine developed to treat diabetes type 2 by stimulating natural insulin secretion by diabetic's pancreas. If for some reason there is no natural secretion of insulin, pancreas removed for instance then SU would not work. It is obvious, there is nothing to stimulate.
Side Effects of SU:
Dermatitis is a general term that describes an inflammation of the skin. This condition if left untreated lead to amputations. 
Leukopenia   is a decrease in the number of white blood cells (leukocytes) found in the blood, which places individuals at increased risk of infection.
Depression of the iodine-uptake function of the thyroid.
With time low sugar developed, and decrease of sugar output in reaction to adrenaline.
Sure, not everyone would see these side effects. Still, when we talking about medicine to treat diabetes type 2 we all have to remember, it is life-long medicine. Medicine may work well days or weeks, but would this medicine be good to use year after year after year?

"I was on Lantus Solostar and Metformin twice daily max dosage. Sugar counts were still 300 and 200. I was so frustrated because the insulin and supplies are extremely expensive with my HSA plan. Basically, my problem did not improve and I was broke. I ran out of insulin and did not have the money to refill. My dr's apt was three weeks later. I explained my low funds situation and promised to fill the Rx as soon as I received my next pay check. She said "Let's try a cheaper option for you". I said "Woo hoo! Let's!". She prescribed Glimeperide. I took a half pill for days 1 and 2. No change. I took the entire pill days 3 & 4...better...but not much. I take two pills daily now, and I see IMPROVEMENT! WOO HOO!"

       I am agree with author, Lantus Solo Star is very expencive. My delivery for 3 month cost $10,000. I am happy I do not need to pay for insulin supply. My man's health company pay the bill. I am responsible for $30 only for full 3 month supply. 
     What I am not agree with author that Lantus Solo Star did not lowered his sugar level. I dropped blood sugar from A1c=9.4% down to 4%. This took years of work, but I did it. My sugar was above 599 mg/dl, limit of my meter readings. The effect of medicine is in direct relation with dose we have to take. If one take 20 units of Lantus Solo Star and do not see effect on glucose meter, it is time to increase dose. I take up to 500 units daily. I do not take Metformin.

"After 3 months of 2mg four times a day, with no change in glucose levels my doctor and I sat down for a talk. When asked if there was a ceiling for the dosages he said we have plenty of room to adjust (there actually is no recorded max dose I could find in the literature). The typical patient uses about 4 mg four times a day. I have found that I have had to increase as much as 16mg four times a day to see adequate glucose changes. It's ease of use and small size makes it easier to take than some, but I have yet to find it's stable dosage for ME."

WOW! 16mg* 4 times = 64 mg daily! As I do know so far maintenance dose is 2 mg daily.  But I maybe wrong. I do not take this medicine anymore, and I took only 2.6 mg daily. It was almost before 2011. In 2011 I injected first dose of insulin, and never took any Metformin or Glipizide since. 9.4% was already too high for me. I had MI and stroke. Now I recovery, but very very slow.

  "I have been taking it for 2 years now . It will drop your blood sugar levels quickly so you need to eat within 10 minutes of taking it . If I exercise alot that will further drop my blood sugar levels . Be careful at first . I take a soda in the car with me just in case or carry glucose tablets until you see how it affects you . You may need to eat more than you are use to .I have not had any side effects"

This was the same effect when I took Glipizide. I took it two times daily, in the morning and before bedtime. My Goodness! I was on High / Low swings all the time.  All my clothing got wet as soon as I put them on. I needed to take shower a few times daily. I did not sleep at night, and was all the time tired. And yes, I started to collect pounds in spite of every day logging and incentive workouts.  

  "I have been taking Amaryl for 3 weeks and it has lowered my blood sugars 70 points. I do have stomach problems since taking this medication, I do find that I have to watch my sugars as after about 2 hours my sugar level drops."

This author is only three weeks on this medicine. Sugar dropping below normal level. What suppose to be next? Is this mean that diabetes type 2 was reversed? Is this mean that SU may be stopped? In Professional Medical Texts it is stated that effect of SU will be present to the a few next days, or even weeks. Now, if diabetic already on low blood sugar state, and stop to take medicine, what be the next? The effect of SU still present for the few next days or weeks. And sugar dropping in spite it is already on lower range.  Someone will not see it as a side effect, or any effect. But I do see how danger SU may be.
To add insult to injury, remember, it is life long medicine. After medicine was stopped  a few days later sugar will start to rise. Welcome to the Swings.
Finally what I wish to say, it is medicine that stimulate diabetic's natural insulin secretion. It is stimulant, no more no less. With time there is less beta cells available to be stimulated. Till finally, SU no longer work. Time to take Insulin in injections. Of cause if diabetic still alive.

 "Bif's comments are true. This medicine will drop your sugar levels quickly, but it works too well. Thirty minutes after taking 2mg, I can feel my sugar levels getting low. I don't have the shakes (meaning my sugar levels are in the low 60's), but I probably would in a matter of minutes. After eating breakfast, I must eat again about 2 hours later or I'll get the shakes. I must be conscious of my sugar levels for the first 4 hours after taking a dose. Overall, my fasting sugar level has dropped from 140 to 110, simply by taking 2mg each morning. However, I find I am gaining weight and overeating too."

 110 mg/dl still withing diabetes range. To be in control blood sugar must be under 100 mg/dl. Still, all the time we consider fasting blood sugar level. There is no one who mentioned A1c level, how this level of sugar going down? Also in no one comment there are level of C Peptide ever mentioned. C Petide level show the level of insulin secretion. Of cause with SU this level is high because of it is natural insulin. So, how high this level of insulin go above normal level? If C Peptide level going too high this mean that insulin resistance, according to medical terminology, getting higher. As it is said in all medical articles and text books, with time diabetic's pancreas give up. insulin secretion stopped completely. Death of diabetic's pancreas.

 "This medication works almost too well. When you start this medicine be aware of what low blood sugar symptoms are. I have experienced several episodes of blood sugar down to 52. Heed the warning to carry glucose tablets with you at all times."

Good to say so. Because of  most doctors never educate diabetic what is going on and why diabetic shakes. It is all the time mentioned in all medical articles that insulin leads to low blood sugar. It is almost never mentioned that SU lead to uncontrolled low sugar and to unnecessary Beta Cells deprivation.

via Ravenvoron