[Hypoglycemic risk of insulinotropic drugs].

Orally available insulinotropics that directly close K(ATP)-channels, such as sulfonylureas and glinides, differ in their pharmacokinetics and -dynamics (PK/PD). This results in different risks for their incidence of hypoglycemic episodes. Glibenclamide (USAN: glyburide) has the highest risk, followed by glimepiride. Glinides reveal a low risk of hypoglycemia due to their short duration of drug effect. Apart from PK/PD, clinically more relevant factors determine incidences of hypoglycemia. Adequate supervision at initial prescription or switch of insulinotropic drugs, comedication and patient compliance superimpose these pharmacological differences.