Sulfonylurea agents are medications that can be used, along with exercise and diet, to lower glucose (blood sugar) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. These antidiabetic agents stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin, which transports glucose out of the bloodstream and into the cells to be used for energy. In addition, sulfonylureas themselves help move glucose into cells.

Sulfonylureas were introduced in the 1950s as the first class of oral diabetes medications. These drugs can be prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes when meal planning, exercise and other lifestyle changes fail to adequately lower glucose levels. Possible side effects of sulfonylureas include hypoglycemia and weight gain.

Patients who take sulfonylureas often find that the medication loses its effectiveness after five to seven years of therapy. In such cases, another antidiabetic agent may be used to replace or enhance the sulfonylurea. If all of these methods fail to lower glucose levels, insulin therapy may be prescribed.