Oral hypoglycemics overdose

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Oral hypoglycemic pills are a class of prescription medications used to control diabetes. Oral means "taken by mouth." There are many different types of oral hypoglycemics. This article focuses on a class called sulfonylureas.

An overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

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Diabetes pill overdose; Sulfonylurea overdose

There are many types of oral hypoglycemics. The poisonous ingredient depends on the specific drug. The main (active) ingredient in sulfonylurea-based oral hypoglycemics stimulates cells in the pancreas to produce more insulin.

Sulfonylurea-based oral hypoglycemics are sold under a variety of brand names. Some are listed below.

• Acetohexamide (Dymelor)
• Chlorpropamide (Diabinese)
• Glipizide (Glucotrol)
• Glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase)
• Glimepiride (Amaryl)
• Tolbutamide (Orinase)
• Tolazamide (Tolinase)

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Review Date: 01/18/2010
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).