Sulfonylureas in the treatment of diabetes mellitus--1985.

Despite the fact that sulfonylurea orally administered hypoglycemic agents have been used in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus for almost 30 years, only recently have their mechanisms of action been delineated. In addition to the four agents previously available, two so-called second-generation agents were approved last year for use in the United States. The indications, contraindications, and guidelines for the use of these agents, as well as their mechanisms of action and the differences among them, are reviewed in this article. When appropriately used, these agents can provide a safe and effective adjunct to diet therapy in the management of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and thus should be considered as an alternative to insulin therapy for such patients.