Patient was educated on the side effects of using sulfonylureas as follows:
- Hypoglycemia
- Normally, in a healthy individual, insulin secretion from the pancreas is proportional to the glucose levels in the blood.
- In diabetics, being managed on sulfonylureas, this fine balance is no more in place.
- Use of sulfonylureas lead to increased secretion of insulin, despite low blood sugars, putting the individual at risk for hypoglycemia.
- Patients can present with dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating, and hunger.
- Excessive hunger
- The frequent episodes of hypoglycemia, secondary to use of the sulfonylureas, result in increased appetite and hunger, leading to excessive eating.
- Weight gain
- Excessive eating contributes to weight gain in individuals using sulfonylureas.
- Also, insulin is an anabolic hormone and so, increased secretion of insulin from the pancreas, secondary to use of sulfonylureas, result in weight gain.
- Hyperglycemia
- Sulfonylureas lose their effectiveness over time and so, could lead to progressive decrease in insulin secretion.
- This can result in poor control of blood sugars with episodes of high blood sugar readings.
- Photosensitivity
- Sulfonylureas have the risk of causing photosensitivity. Individuals can present with sunburns and rashes on the exposed body parts.
